Posted in News, Team News on Feb 25, 2021.
The game will be Chiefs’ first in Burkina Faso, although Chiefs have historically had players feature for Bafana Bafana in games against the Burkina Faso national team, as well as at the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations which was hosted by the West African Nation. At the 1998 AFCON tournament where Bafana Bafana ended as runners up, former Chiefs players Brian Baloyi and Thabo Mooki featured heavily for the team then coached by Jomo Sono.
While another Chiefs player at the time Thabang Lebese was a standby player in Burkina Faso in 1998. Most recently, Itumeleng Khune, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Mulomowandau Mathoho featured in a 1-1 draw for Bafana Bafana in Ouagadougou at the 4 August Stadium against Burkina Faso in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier which was played in October 2016.
The game will be played at the 60 000-seater 4 August Stadium, the host venue for the 1998 Africa Cup of Nations Final where South Africa fell to a 2-0 loss to Egypt. Ouagadougou has hosted one clash between South Africa and Morocco previously. Bafana Bafana defeated the Atlas Lions 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the 1998 AFCON, that was across town at the Stade Municipal. Brian Baloyi was in goal while former Chiefs defender David Nyathi scored the match winner for Bafana Bafana in the 79th minute.
Coach Gavin Hunt will take 18 players with him to Burkina Faso to face the two times African Champions.
Chiefs began their 2020-21 CAF Champions League sroup stages with a goalless draw against Guinean side Horoya AC and will be looking to build on Tuesday’s performance. On the other hand, Wydad started off their group campaign on the road with a 1-0 win during the week against Petro de Luanda of Angola.
Chiefs will be back in Johannesburg on Monday to prepare for the next Champions League game against Petro de Luanda.
Chiefs 18 Man Squad for Wydad Casablanca Clash
Goalkeepers:
Daniel Akpeyi, Itumeleng Khune
Defenders:
Daniel Cardoso, Reeve Frosler, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, Siyabonga Ngezana, Philani Zulu, Anthony Agay
Midfielders:
Njabulo Blom, Darrel Matsheke, Willard Katsande, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo, Lebogang Manyama, Kearyn Baccus
Forwards:
Lazalous Kambole, Samir Nurković, Bernard Parker, Leonardo Castro