Bafana to play Senegal in the NMC

Cape Town - Bafana Bafana are set to face Africa's fifth best side Senegal in the Nelson Mandela Challenge on September 8, SAFA confirmed on Monday.

The match will be played at the Orlando Stadium with kick-off set for 19:00.

Bafana Bafana won the 2014 edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge after seeing off Ivory Coast 2-0 in Durban courtesy of goals from Bongani Zungu and David Zulu. 

Senegal are ranked fifth in Africa and 39th in the world compared to South Africa, who are ranked 17th in Africa and 72nd in the world.

Local fans may be able to get a glimpse of Senegal and Premier League star Sadio Mane.

The attacking forward from Southampton has been strongly linked with a move to English giants Manchester United.

The friendly international comes shortly after the national team's AFCON 2017 qualifier against Mauritania in Nouakchott, Mauritania on September 5.

Bafana Bafana squad for the matches against Mauritania and Senegal:

Goalkeepers:

Jackson Mabokgwane (Mpumalanga Aces FC), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United) 

Defenders:

Erick Mathoho (Kaizer Chiefs), Rivaldo Coetzee (Ajax Cape Town), Thulani Hlatshwayo (Bidvest Wits), Siyabonga Nhlapo (Bidvest Wits), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk), Mzikayise Mashaba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Zulu (Platinum Stars), Tsepo Masilela (Kaizer Chiefs)

Midfielder:

Dean Furman (SuperSport United), Andile Jali (KV Oostende), Bongani Zungu (Sundowns), Mandla Masango (Randers FC), Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits), Jabulani Shongwe (Bidvest Wits), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mpho Makola (Orlando Pirates), Ayanda Patosi (Lokeren), Daylon Claasen (1860 Munich)

Strikers:

Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam), Thamsanqa Gabuza (Orlando Pirates), Sibusiso Vilakazi (Bidvest Wits), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth)

Upcoming Bafana Bafana fixtures:

September 5: v Mauritania, Cup of Nations, Nouakchott

September 8: v Senegal, Nelson Mandela Challenge, friendly, Soweto

October 8: v Costa Rica, friendly, Liberia

October 13: v Honduras, friendly, San Pedro Sula

October 17: v Angola, CHAN, TBA

October 24: v Angola, CHAN, Luanda

November 13: v Angola, World Cup, Benguela

November 17: v Angola, World Cup, Durban