 Mbulelo Mabizela has been included in South Africa's latest squad |
Things appear to be looking up for Mbulelo Mabizela after he was called up to the latest South Africa squad, despite still being without a club side. The former South Africa captain has been drafted into the squad for next week's Cosafa Castle Cup mini tournament in Mauritius.
The call-up signals an upturn in fortunes for the player, who has had a difficult year.
Mabizela replaces Russia-based defender Matthew Booth, and is one of just seven previously-capped players named in a 19-man squad for the regional tournament.
South Africa coach Stuart Baxter has been forced to call up an inexperienced squad due to the unavailability of most of his first-choice players.
Mabizela has not played a competitive match since last October when his contract with English premier league club Tottenham Hotspur was terminated.
He was stripped of the South African captaincy in June after reporting late for training.
According to his agent, the player had a trial with Swedish club Djurgardens last month and is also due to try out at Norwegian champions Rosenborg.
South Africa meet the Seychelles next Saturday in Curepipe.
Mauritius play Madagascar in the other Group A game with the winners of those two games meeting in a final on 27 February.
The winner of the mini tournament goes through to the Cosafa Cup finals in August.
MMIX
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