Posted in News on Jul 18, 2002.
This was hightlighted by caretaker coach Jomo Sono and his assistant Trott Moloto immediately after Bafana's long jog on Thursday, ahead of their Cosafa Cup quarterfinal match.
Steve Lekoelea, Benedict Vilakazi, Jabu Pule, Cyril Nzama, Teboho Mokoena, Andre Arendse and Thabang Molefe are the players Sono believes would feature in his starting XI at Telkom Park Stadium.
"Most of the players who have been inactive since the Premier League went into recess are not fit. That is why I opted for a long jog today to test their level of fitness," said Sono.
The coach said it was simply because players from Pirates and Chiefs were fresh from the Vodacom Challenge Cup in Durban last week.
"Those that played in the World Cup have shown that they want to take over from whey left off," he said. "But I believe that the others will also rise to the ocassion.
"The ball is in their court to prove that they are good to represent the country."
Sono made it clear that he will remain with the national team for as long as the results are positive.
Sono and Moloto both led Bafana to their first win in the World Cup in South Korea and Japan last month.
Their charges beat a Limpopo Invitation XI 2-0 in a warm-up game at Thohoyandou Stadium on Wednesday night before they jetted off to Port Elizabeth on Thursday.
"It was a very good warm-up. It helped the players to know each other well, but also afforded us an opportunity to see them because it was the first time for them to come together," said Moloto.
But the two mentors said they were not overly worried about their opponents, but were rather concerned about not getting any video footage of the Madagascans.
"It is our way that we get the video tape of the opposition so that we can talk of people we have seen. But nonetheless we are confident that we have enough ammunition," they said.
The Madagascans are dued to arrive on Friday.
Bafana will miss the services of McBeth Sibaya, who went for trials at Westbrom Albion and Aston Villa.
