Vuvuzela South Africa

Today, at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, Bafana Bafana need to take on Thailand and score. Bafana need to put the ball in the net a few times.

Speaking to kickoff, Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune says the energy created by the fans as the World Cup nears is proving a confidence booster for the team and he hopes the support that they provide will be influential in ripping apart Thailand at the new Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

Come back of Teko Modise

Will this be the comeback of Teko Modise? The wonderboy midfielder of Orlando Pirates, who has been so badly out of form, feels confident after the training camps. He is also determined to keep his unblemished record as Bafana Bafana captain intact against Thailand.

Teko Modise spoke to kickoff: “Starting from the camp in Brazil my confidence started going up, especially knowing that I have been given the responsibility of leading the team. It shows that the coach has faith in me and my confidence has been growing all along.

“All I need to do is work on a couple of things like everyone else and hopefully when the tournament starts; I will be sharp and back to my normal form.”

Today, when Bafana Bafana take on Thailand at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, we will see whether Modise, probably one of the most talented players in South Africa, has got his mojo back. If Teko Modise can score and his confidence is boosted, Bafana Bafana’s World Cup prospects look a whole lot better.

Foreign-Based Players

Steven Pienaar who recently received Player of the Season at Everton is playing is in great form and Aaron Mokoena was one of the stalwarts of his team, Portsmouth FC yesterday in the FA Cup final.  Once all the foreign-based players have joined the Bafana Bafana squad the prospects of a win over Mexico on 11 June does not look so distant, in fact it actually looks very possible.

Locally Based Star Players

Two locally based star players Siphiwe Tshabalala and Siboniso Gaxa are eagerly anticipating South Africa’s international friendly against Thailand at the new Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit this (Sunday) afternoon, seeing it as an opportunity to sharpen their skills ahead of the June 11 kick-off of the 2010 World Cup and also cementing their place in the final 23-man squad.

Gaxa and Tshabalala

As one of the most consistent players in the national team setup, Tshabalala has all but ensured himself of a place in Carlos Alberto Parreira’s final 23-man squad for the World Cup.

Gaxa is another star playerwho seems to have the inside track when it comes to being a first choice player, and the Mamelodi Sundowns defender is looking forward to the match against Thailand.

What about Benni Mc Carthy?

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira says Benni McCarthy will play no part in Sunday’s friendly against Thailand in Nelspruit.

Bafana Bafana Squad:

Goalkeeper:
•    91 Brian Baloyi
•    32 Itumeleng Khune
•    1 Emile Baron
•    1 Rowen Fernandez
Defender:
•    2 Siboniso Gaxa
•    23 Morgan Gould
•    77 Matthew Booth
•    19 Innocent Mdledle
•    21 Siyabonga Sangweni
•    32 Lucas Thwala
•    3 Tsepo Masilela
•    19 Bryce Moon
•    4 Aaron Mokoena
Midfielder:
•    18 Thulasizwe Mbuyane
•    15 Andile Jali
•    2 Benson Mhlongo
•    13 Lance Davids
•    25 Thanduyise Khuboni
•    34 Franklin Cale
•    6 Reneilwe Letsholonyane
•    34 Kagiso Dikgacoi
•    11 Teko Modise
•    12 Gert Schalkwyk
•    14 Siphiwe Tshabalala
•    6 Macbeth Sibaya
•    20 Elrio van Heerden
•    20 Steven Pienaar
Striker:
•    23 Richard Henyekane
•    21 Katlego Mashego
•    17 Katlego Mphela
•    29 Terror Fanteni
•    17 Benni McCarthy

Pic of Map to Umbombela Stadium, Nelspruit

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