Bafana Bafana; South African National Football thread

Surprised that there's not a national thread for the hosts.

Logo:

Home kit:

Away kit:

29 man squad announced for pre World Cup friendlies:

Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira

GK Rowen Fernandez 28 February 1978 (age 32) Arminia Bielefeld
GK Shu-Aib Walters 26 December 1981 (age 28) Maritzburg United
GK Itumeleng Khune 20 June 1987 (age 22) Kaizer Chiefs
GK Moeneeb Josephs 19 May 1980 (age 29) Orlando Pirates

DF Aaron Mokoena 25 November 1980 (age 29) Portsmouth
DF Bryce Moon	6 April 1986 (age 24) PAOK F.C.
DF Tsepo Masilela 5 May 1985 (age 24) Maccabi Haifa
DF Anele Ngcongca 20 October 1987 (age 22) K.R.C. Genk
DF Matthew Booth 14 March 1977 (age 33) Mamelodi Sundowns
DF Siboniso Gaxa 6 April 1984 (age 26) Mamelodi Sundowns
DF Innocent Mdledle 12 November 1985 (age 24) Mamelodi Sundowns
DF Bongani Khumalo 6 January 1987 (age 23) Supersport United
DF Siyabonga Sangweni 29 September 1981 (age 28) Golden Arrows
DF Lucas Thwala 19 October 1981 (age 28) Orlando Pirates

MF Steven Pienaar 17 March 1982 (age 28) Everton FC
MF MacBeth Sibaya 25 November 1977 (age 32) Rubin Kazan
MF Franklin Cale 10 May 1983 (age 26) Mamelodi Sundowns
MF Surprise Moriri 20 March 1980 (age 30) Mamelodi Sundowns
MF Lebohang Mokoena 29 September 1986 (age 23) Mamelodi Sundowns
MF Lance Davids	11 April 1985 (age 25) Ajax Cape Town
MF Teko Modise	22 December 1982 (age 27) Orlando Pirates
MF Andile Jali 10 April 1990 (age 20) Orlando Pirates
MF Thanduyise Khuboni 22 May 1986 (age 23) Golden Arrows
MF Reneilwe Letsholonyane 9 June 1982 (age 27) Kaizer Chiefs
MF Siphiwe Tshabalala 25 September 1984 (age 25) Kaizer Chiefs

FW Benni McCarthy 12 November 1977 (age 32) West Ham United
FW Bernard Parker 16 March 1986 (age 24) FC Twente
FW Katlego Mphela 29 November 1984 (age 25) Mamelodi Sundowns
FW Siyabonga Nomvethe 2 December 1977 (age 32) Moroka Swallows

Pre-World Cup friendlies:

24 May 2010 Bulgaria - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa

27 May 2010 Colombia - Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa

5 June 2010 Denmark - Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa

World Cup matches, Group A:

11 June 2010 Mexico - Soccer City, Johannesburg, South Africa

16 June 2010 Uruguay - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa

22 June 2010 France - Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Past record:

South Africa have only played at two World Cup finals. They didn't take part in the world cup until France 98, between they chose not to enter between 1930 and 1962, and were banned from entering by FIFA between 1962 and 1990 due to opposition to their Apartheid regime, and then in 1994 they failed to qualify. In 1998 they were grouped with France, Denmark and Saudi Arabia, they lost 3-0 to eventual winners France, drew 1-1 against Denmark and 2-2 with Saudi Arabia, finishing in 3rd place with 2 points, failing to qualify for Round 1.

In 2002 they again failed to qualify for the next round, having drawn 2-2 with Paraguay they got their first, and so far only, world cup win in a 1-0 victory against Slovenia, but lost their last game 3-2 against Spain, fishing 3rd, equal on points and goal difference with Paraguay, but Paraguay qualified by having scored 6 goals, as opposed to South Africas 5.

Well that's all I can think of, I'm sure I missed something obvious, point it out if I have.

'Mon Pienaar

Pienaar love

Are you going to be supporting them in the WC roberto?

Yep I'll be looking out for them and a few others (don't really support anyone, closest would be Italy but gone off them recently), especially if Pienaar gets his contract signed before the world cup, otherwise I'll be worrying over him impressing the big spenders too much

5-0 win vs Guatemala

On an 11 game unbeaten run, nice, interesting group, not sure if I fancy South Africa going through but could get tight in this group, home fans/support and a good run of form and who knows + France are a mess. Definitely a case of don't lose the first game though imo, as with a lot of groups/teams but moreso for South Africa for their hopes of getting out of the group. Can actually see them winning the opening game, really can

Booooooooooooooooth!!!!

Booth

Really surprised at them leaving McCarthy out though. Whatever you say about his fitness, his influence on the team is enormous. It must have been something quite serious to lead Parreira to dropping him.

Mokoena made his 100th cap in a 5-0 over Guatemala, Mokoena wore the number 100 shirt

Perhaps the fact he's not better than Mphela and not likely to actually contribute?

I understand that he's no longer a 'star', but the fact that he's deemed unable to contribute surprises me, despite his horrible season.

They have plenty of experience anyway, plus the likes of Mphela, Modise and Moriri know where the net is.

Bafana Bafana's keeper and back four look decent, it's just Pienaar is their only creative force and I think that's what they'll struggle with.

I understand that he's no longer a 'star', but the fact that he's deemed unable to contribute surprises me, despite his horrible season.

he also looked seriously out of shape.

The South Africans seem like such a great set of people. I hope they do well