Sport

Coach set for Ghana 'baptism of fire'

Nthambeleni Gabara

5 August 2010

Pitso Mosimane has retained most of the players who turned out for South Africa during the 2010 Fifa World Cup for the newly appointed Bafana Bafana coach's "baptism of fire" against World Cup quarterfinalists Ghana at Johannesburg's Soccer City on 11 August.

However, the coach who took over from Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira after the conclusion of Africa's first Fifa World Cup made some additions of his own for the international friendly.

Included in the squad are Supersport United defender Morgan Gould, Bevan Fransman and Innocent Mdledle of Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates midfielder Daine Klate, and Kaizer Chiefs striker S'thembiso Ngcobo.

Fransman, Mdledle, Klate and Gould were part of the Parreira's preliminary World Cup squad.

The showdown against the World Cup quarterfinalists will be Mosimane's first match in charge of Bafana since his appointment on 15 July.

'Continuity, 2010 vision'

Announcing the team on Thursday, the coach said it was a reflection of his 2014 vision and a principle of continuity.

"Since my appointment 22 days ago, there has not been enough time for changes, be it in the playing squad or the support staff," Mosimane said. "We have some players who missed out on the World Cup, but have rejoined the squad, while others have lost out due to injury."

Mosimane, while urging South Africans to continue supporting the national team, said he hoped to see commitment from the players to show that they wanted to play for the country.

The coach said he was not anticipating any problems relating to the late arrival of the players at the camp, the training pitch or accommodation for the players, as the team's interim manager, Barney Kujane, had sorted out all the logistics.

The former Supersport United coach said the match against the Black Stars of Ghana would be a "baptism of fire" for him.

Preparation for 2012 qualifiers

Mosimane said he would use the match to prepare his team for the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier to be played against Niger at Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit on 5 September.

The Bafana squad goalkeepers are Itumeleng Khune and Moneeb Josephs, and the defenders Morgan Gould, Siboniso Gaxa, Bevan Fransman, Tsepo Masilela, Aaron Mokoena, Anele Ngcongca, Siyabonga Sangweni and Innocent Mdledle.

Taking on the midfield will be Daine Klate, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Teko Modise, Surprise Moriri, Steven Pienaar, Thanduyise Kuboni, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Macbeth Sibaya, and Kagisho Dikgacoi.

Katlego Mphela, Bernard Parker and S'thembiso Ngcobo will be the strikers that Ghana needs to look out for.

No comment on Benni

Mosimane refused to discuss the exclusion of Benni McCarthy, or the inclusion of the ageing midfielder Macbeth Sibaya in his team to face Ghana.

Mosimane dropped Mamelodi Sundowns' lanky defender Mathew Booth, as well as Moroka Swallows' veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe, while Bongani Khumalo who performed well during the World Cup, was left out due to an injury.

South African Football Association (Safa) communications manager Morio Sanyane urged soccer fans to arrive early at the stadium. Gates will open at 18:00. Match tickets cost R100 and are available at Computicket and Shoprite stores.

SA Football Association CEO Leslie Sedibe said match ticket holders could ride Metrorail trains free to the soccer match from their respective areas.

Source: BuaNews