Posted in News on May 30, 2008.
“It was a good practice match,” Bafana’s assistant-coach Pitso Mosimane reflected, “it wasn’t so much about winning, but more about new coach Joel Santana getting an idea on who’s who of the selected South African players.”
The Brazilian coach Santana fielded in the first half the side that will mostly likely start against Nigeria, including the likes of captain Aaron Mokoena, Steven Pienaar and Surprise Moriri. Creative midfielder Teko Modise did not feature in Thursday’s practice match, but he will most likely be fit to face Nigeria. South Africa will miss experienced players like Nasief Morris, Sibusiso Zuma and Elrio van Heerden due to injury, while Benni McCarthy did not join the squad citing “family reasons”.
Santana fielded the ’reserves’ in the second half, which included Rowen Fernandez in goal. The 30-year-old Arminia Bielefeld keeper was still the number one at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, but it now looks likely that Santana will prefer Itumeleng Khune against Nigeria.
The 20-year-old Khune recently won the Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season award thanks to his splendid performances in his debut season at Chiefs. Steven Pienaar had to be replaced late in the first half due to an injury, but ’Schillo’ will probably be fit to play in Abuja on Sunday.
Swaziland had South Africa on the back foot in the first half with attacking midfielder Dennis Masina creating most of the danger, roving around at will as he was not picked up by Bafana’s two central midfielders Lance Davids and Kagisho Dikgacoi.
Bafana’s ’reserves’ played with much more intent than the ’first team’, especially right-back Siboniso Gaxa and Mashego made strong claims to be included in the starting line-up against Nigeria.
Mashego, who plays for South Africa’s premiership winning side SuperSport United, has now scored six goals in his last four outings - five goals in his last three league matches - and is in scintillating form.
The 26-year-old striker last played for Bafana in 2006 in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo. “I am happy to be back”, commented Mashego, “and I am looking forward towards the match against Nigeria.” While saying this, the striker pointed to his white boots, adding with a wry assassin smile: “These are my scoring boots.”
Bafana coach Santana preferred not to speak with the media after the Swaziland encounter, instead requesting his South Africa assistant Mosimane to do so: “It is still four days to go before the match against Nigeria. We will be ready by then.”
