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Bafana's final training camp squad

Brad Morgan

3 May 2010

Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira announced a 29-man squad on Friday for South Africa's final training camp before the 2010 Fifa World Cup™. It's the clearest indication yet of what the final 23-man selection will look like.

The training camp, which starts on 5 May, is the fourth in a series of World Cup camps and it will culminate in the naming of the World Cup line-up only 10 days before the tournament gets under way.

Parreira says he has chosen 29 players because he is uncertain when players based overseas will arrive for the camp. "We have already scheduled two matches for the 16th and 24th of May, so we need at least 18 players for those matches," he explained to Safa.net.

Having featured two very different groups of players in the last two camps, Parreira admits it will be a challenge to get the players to work together.

'Rather difficult'

"This is going to be rather difficult," he said, "not because the overseas-based players are coming to this camp, but because we don’t know what condition they will come in – physically and technically.

"Some of them have played too many games, like Steven Pienaar who has played 27 games since November. Some have played half of what Pienaar played, while others started in one or two.

"So they will come here in different fitness levels, which will give our physical trainer a lot of headaches to put them in good shape for the competition. But, nevertheless, we want them to come in good spirits, ready to sacrifice and work for the team.

"Their experience is vital and I hope it will help improve the team's technical level," added Parreira.

Not ideal

He admitted that trimming the squad down at such a late stage was not ideal, but said he was grateful to the players for the effort they had put in, especially those who will miss out when the final cut is made.

Parreira explained: "They were with us in Brazil and Germany and it was two months of dedication, commitment and discipline.

"We have no words to thank them for their efforts and this is from me and the entire staff. We can't take any number we want and we have to make decisions which are always difficult.

Goalkeepers

Four goalkeepers have been named in the 29-man squad: Itumeleng Khune, Moeneeb Josephs, Shuaib Walters, Rowen Fernandez.

Walters, as the least experienced of the quartet, appears to be the most likely man to be omitted, especially given the size of the World Cup stage. Khune, of Kaizer Chiefs, has the inside line on being the first choice net-minder.

Defenders

Ten defenders were given the nod: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa, Bongani Khumalo, Tsepo Masilela, Innocent Mdledle, Aaron Mokoena, Bryce Moon, Anele Ngcongca, Siyabonga Sangweni, Lucas Thwala.

It's expected that Bafana Bafana will take eight of those players into the World Cup.

One of those who could lose out is a man who stood out at the Confederations Cup in 2009, Matthew Booth, the giant central defender. Since Parreira has returned, the big man has not enjoyed the coach's favour.

One defender on either flank is also likely to miss out. Bryce Moon and Sibonisa Gaxa seem to be the top two choices on the right, meaning Anele Ngcongca's place looks tenuous, while on the left Joel Masilela and Lucas Twala should have the edge on Innocent Mdledle.

Midfielders

There are 11 midfielders in the squad: Franklin Cale, Lance Davids, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Andile Jali, Thanduyise Khuboni, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Teko Modise, Surprise Moriri, Steven Pienaar, MacBeth Sibaya, Siphiwe Tshabalala.

The midfield is led by the man who has established himself as South Africa's best player, Steven Pienaar. Modise, like Pienaar, is a creative player with the ability to score from range, while Dikgacoi fills the holding role just in front of the back four.

Tshabalala brings the advantage of an educated left foot which brought him a good number of goals during the camp in Brazil, while Khuboni had emerged as a Perreira favourite, drawing praise from the coach.

Franklin Cale could be one of the odd men out as he didn't see much action during the recent camp in Germany, but the fact that he's a left-footer will help his case.

Jali, at age 20, is still on the rise, but his age and experience could stand against his selection for the World Cup. Letsholonyane, like Jali, is inexperienced at international level and that, too, will count against him.

Strikers

Four strikers are in the running for a place at the World Cup: Katlego Mphela, Benni McCarthy, Siyabonga Nomvete, Bernard Parker. All four are likely to be selected.

McCarthy brings experience to the attack and is South Africa's all-time leading international goal scorer. Mphela led all PSL scorers this past season, while Parker showed up well in the Fifa Confederations Cup last season. One concern about him is that he has lacked playing time at recently crowned Dutch champions FC Twente Enschede.

Nomvete, at age 32, earned a recall to the national team for their training camp in Germany and responded with a crisply taken goal against Jamaica. He is very experienced, having made his debut in 1999 and played 74 times for South Africa.

Itinerary

An itinerary has been released detailing Bafana Bafana's programme up to the World Cup. It includes a friendly international against a team yet to be named on 16 May. On 24 May, Bulgaria will be the opposition in either Johannesburg or Pretoria.

On 27 May, Bafana face Colombia at Soccer City. On 1 June, the final World Cup squad will be announced. Then, on 5 June, the final World Cup warm-up takes place against Denmark in Johannesburg.

South Africa's next action will be far more important on 11 June at Soccer City in the opening match of the 2010 Fifa World Cup.