Amakhosi coached Ernst Middendorp gleamed from ear to ear on Thursday when he was informed of the Bafana Bafana squad that will take on Zambia in a MTN CAF Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2008 qualifier to be played in Lusaka on the 8th October. To find out what had brought such happiness to the Chiefs coach, all one had to do was read through the names of the 20-man squad.

Bafana Bafana care taker coach Pitso Mosimane named five Chiefs players in the team for the Zambia clash, making The Amakhosi the best represented of all the PSL teams in the squad.

Recalled to the team are Gert Schalkwyk who was part of the Bafana Bafana squad that defeated Namibia in Windhoek in August but did not see any action, also earning a recall to the team is defender Siphiwe Mkhonza. Mkhonza, who made his debut against Tanzania in October 2002, last represented the national team when he came on as an injury time substitute for Benedict Vilakazi in a 1-1 draw with Australia in February 2005.

Returning to the team after being part of Bafana Bafana’s recent goalless draw with Congo are Siyabonga Nkosi, Cyril Nzama and goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez who will be aiming for his third clean sheet in succession.

Ernst Middendorp talking about the call up of five of his players to the national team said: “I must say that each of the guys deserves his call up to the team, my wish is for each of them to get a chance to play and make a meaningful contribution to the game and set South Africa on track to qualify for the tournament”.

SAFA took the unprecedented step of naming the squad three weeks in advance in order for clubs to be aware that they will need to release their players for the game.

Kaizer Chiefs would like to wish all their players and Bafana Bafana the best of luck on the 2008 MTN CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying trail.