 |
| Brian Baloyi © Backpagepix |
In the absence of Bafana Bafana head coach Joel Natalino Santana due to illness, assistant coaches Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane on Thursday announced the team to face Serbia in a friendly international.
The match will take place at the Super Stadium in Atteridgeville on Wednesday, 12 August 2009. Kick-off is 19h00.
Santana, who has been on holiday in Brazil, has been advised by his doctor against travelling to South Africa as he is not feeling well. The coach is expected in the country on Tuesday, 11 August.
In announcing the team, the Bafana Bafana technical staff emphasized the need to keep the same team for the match against Serbia. “We don’t have much time to prepare for this match - just two days, so it was important to keep the same base from the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup squad where we had more than one month with the players.
Obviously we have had to make some changes because some players have not been playing, some have moved clubs, while others are injured – but the main idea is to use the experience and understanding we got from the Confederations Cup tournament,” said Leal.
He added that after this match; they will start introducing other players as most leagues around the world will be in full swing and most players will be active.
South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO, Raymond Hack, said the association will do everything to ensure Bafana Bafana are well prepared for the World Cup.
“We are forging ahead with preparing Bafana Bafana for the big stage in 2010 by continuing to play tough oppositions like Serbia. Serbian players are competing in tough leagues around the world like the Italian Serie A as well as the English Premiership; matches of this calibre will help our senior men’s national team to continue where they left off during the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. We urge the South Africans to rally behind the team like they did in previous matches,” said Hack.
Bafana Bafana assemble on Sunday night in Pretoria. They will train on Monday afternoon at the Pilditch Stadium while on Tuesday afternoon they will round off their preparations for the Serbia match at the Super Stadium.
For Bafana Bafana upcoming fixtures: visit www.safa.net
The Selected Squad:
Baloyi Brian Mamelodi Sundowns (SA)
Booth Matthew Mamelodi Sundowns (SA)
Davids Lance Ajax Cape Town (SA)
Dikgacoi Kagisho Golden Arrows (SA)
Fernandez Rowen Bielefeld (SA)
Gaxa Siboniso Mamelodi Sundowns (SA)
Gould Morgan Supersport United (SA)
Henyekane Richard Golden Arrows (SA)
Khumalo Bongani Supersport United (SA)
Khune Itumeleng Kaizer Chiefs(SA)
Mashego Katlego Orlando Pirates (SA)
Masilela Tsepo Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
Mhlongo Benson Orlando Pirates (SA)
Modise Teko Orlando Pirates (SA)
Mokoena Aaron Portsmouth FC (England)
Moon Bryce Panathanaikos (Greece)
Mphela Katlego Mamelodi Sundowns (SA)
Nale Abia Kaizer Chiefs(SA)
Nkosi Siyabonga Supersport United (SA)
Pienaar Steven Everton FC (England)
Sibaya MacBeth Rubin Kazan (Russia)
Thwala Lucas Orlando Pirates (SA)
Van Heerden Elrio Blackburn Rovers (England)
Coach: Joel Santana
|
