Mali head coach Eric Chelle contends that the fact that the majority of Bafana Bafana's squad refine their skills within the realm of the DStv Premiership isn't a drawback.Instead, he hints that this is the ace up South Africa's sleeve at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).The two nations open their Afcon campaigns against each other in Group E on Tuesday night.READ | How Bafana Bafana went from no-hopers to Afcon dark horsesTwenty of the 23 players selected by Bafana Bafana boss Hugo Broos are home-based.
The exceptions are Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela/Portugal), and Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol/Cyprus).Goalkeepers: 22-Ricardo Goss (SuperSport Utd), 16-Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), 1-Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns)Defenders: 18-Grant Kekana, 3-Terrence Mashego, 6-Aubrey Modiba, 20-Khuliso Mudau, 14-Mothobi Mvala (all Sundowns), 19-Nkosinathi Sibisi, (Orlando Pirates), 2-Sydney Mobbie (Sekhukhune Utd), 5-Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport)Midfielders: 12-Thapelo Maseko, 4-Teboho Mokoena, 23-Thapelo Morena (all Sundowns), 8-Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), 15-Thabang Monare (Pirates), 13-Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela/POR)Forwards: 17-Zakhele Lepasa, 9-Evidence Makgopa (both Pirates), 7-Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City), 21-Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol/CYP), 10-Percy Tau (Al Ahly/EGY), 11-Themba Zwane (Sundowns)Within the domestic contingent, 10 players represent Mamelodi Sundowns, while five are part of the Orlando Pirates squad."They all play in the same league," Chelle, a former defender, told the media during Mali's press conference."We respect this team as they are former winners of the competition.