Vuvuzela South Africa

Bafana Bafana vs Guatemala – this is the penultimate in international friendly in the South African National team’s 2010 World Cup build-up campaign. Kickoff is tonight at 8.30 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.

South Africa have looked solid in the past week, drawing 1-1 against Bulgaria on Monday before beating Colombia 2-1 on Thursday.

Bafana Captain, Aaron Mokoena

Bafana captain and Portsmouth midfielder, Aaron Mokeona will reach a milestone no other South African footballer has reached when he runs on the filed with his team tonight to face Central American minnows Guatemala – Mokoena will earn his 100th cap.

Mokoena stresses that the players must not take their foot off the pedal against Guatemala in Polokwane.

“They have come here to test us. We cannot underestimate them as we have only 10 days left and only one more friendly (against Denmark on the 5th) to tune up for the World Cup,” Mokoena said.

“We cannot afford to waste these vital warm-up matches and believe me, we are taking Guatemala as serious as we would the other countries we played last week such as Bulgaria and Colombia.”

Guatemala Team

Guatemala’s players’ mental focus on the match could be uncertain after the country experienced a terrible natural disaster the past few days. They could turn up the heat and make it sticky for the hosts.

In the World Cup Qualifiers to Germany 2006, they went all the way to the last round, where they beat Surinam 4:2 in the second round, and then finished in second place behind Costa Rica in group B, while the other two teams were Honduras and Canada. In the third round they had wins against Canada, Costa Rica and then tied against Honduras and then lost to Costa Rica and then won 1:0 to Honduras, which was when they sealed their pass to the last round and last lost to Canada.

In the last round, they finished in 5th place, they needed a Mexico win or tie against Trinidad and Tobago to advance to the FIFA World Cup.

They tried to qualify for South Africa 2010, but due to bad results both at home and away, they failed to reach a World Cup again.

One of the most talented players in Guatemala history is Carlos Ruiz, who plays for Puebla in Mexico.

Final Cut to Bafana Squad

Bafana Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is probably going to give as many players as he can a run to take a last look at them before he makes up his mind for the final 23-man squad that he will announce tomorrow.

According to football. 365 Bafana Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has revealed he is not looking forward to making the final cull to his squad before the World Cup. He will announce the 23-man Bafana Bafana Squad tomorrow on June 1.

The Bafana Bafana boss must cut six players from his provisional 30-man line-up, with Andile Jali already ruled out of the showpiece through a heart condition. Read more

Popularity: 7% [?]

Bafana Bafana Captain Aaron Mokoena will be writing his name in the record books on Monday when he leads his team onto the field  against Guatamala for his 100th appearance for the South African National Team.

The International friendly against Guatamala (World Rankk 114) Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Monday night, should give a confident  Bafana Bafana (Fifa/coca cola Rank 83) the ideal opportunity to consolidate the midfield and get a bit more impetus upfront. Kick-off for Bafana Bafana vs Guatamala is at 8.30pm

Aaron Mokoena earned his fist cap for Bafana Bafana against Botswana in Gaborone during the Cosafa Castle Cup on 20 February, 1999,  playing at the back with Matthew Booth . Trott Moloto was the coach at the time. It has taken him 11 years to reach his 100 Caps.

Read the interview with him on the safa website.

Bafana Bafana Players with 50 or More Caps

Mokoena leads a group of elite Bafana Bafana players with 50 caps or more.

99 – Aaron Mokoena
79 – Benni McCarthy
77 – Siyabonga Nomvete
74 – Shaun Bartlett
73 – John Moshoeu
72 – Delron Buckley
70 – Lucas Radebe
67 – Andre Arendse
67 – Sibusiso Zuma
66 – Helman Mkhalele
62 – Mark Fish
58 – Phil Masinga
56 – MacBeth Sibaya

Popularity: 3% [?]

Bafana Bafana vs Colombia turned out to be an all-penalty affair as the home team pulled off a 2-1 win at a packed Soccer City on Thursday night.

Teko Modise and Katlego Mphela netted from the spot to keep South Africa’s World Cup preparations on track, cancelling out Giovanni Andrés Moreno’s converted penalty.

Well I don’t know if the South Americans are just difficult or if the Kenyan ref was a bit uncertain or inconsistent or if there was a communications problem, but this was a very messy game, with players – mostly Bafana Bafana flying through the air and three Colombians stretchered off the field and more yellow cards than I’ve seen for ages.

Khune Injured; Two Penalties and Many Yellow Cards

It was the injury to Bafana stopper,  Itumeleng Khune that was the focal point of the opening minutes, when he collided with Jackson Arley Martínez. Khune’s injury was the start of a frantic 15 minutes, in which two penalties were awarded and a number of yellow cards were dished out.

South Africa continued to dominate the possession stakes, passing the ball around nicely at the back and in the midfield. Still, despite dictating terms in the middle of the park, they were not penetrative enough going forward as they struggled to find decent goal scoring chances.

Second Half – Steven Pienaar and Kagiso Dikgacoi

After the break, Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira rang the changes. Steven Pienaar entered the fray along with Josephs and Kagiso Dikgacoi. Thanduyise Khuboni, Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Khune all made way.

The changes seemed to stunt Bafana’s forward momentum and to make matters worse, Tsepo Masilela left the field injured, with Lucas Thwala taking his place on the left flank.  Then to put the cherry on the cake, the Colombians who were very big and physical seemed to have poor Steven Pienaar off his feet more than on them at one stage.

Great play by Tshabalala; Mphela Scores

In the 57th minute, some great play between Mphela and Tshabalala saw the latter being tripped in the box just as he was about to pull the trigger.

The referee rightly pointed to the spot and Mphela stepped up to smack the ball to the right of the keeper who went the wrong way.

The second half fell into a bit of a lull as no team could really create any decent goal scoring chances. That was until the final five minutes when Colombia began to pile forward in their numbers to find an equaliser.

Benni Mc Carthy Gets a Run

The 63rd minute saw the introduction of Benni McCarthy but he could not really make his presence felt due to the heavy Colombian presence in midfield and the attacking backs that choked the majority of Bafana’s attacking moves.

Moeneeb Josephs – Great in the Goal

Second half substitute Moeneeb Josephs, stepped up to the plate, making two very important saves in the dying minutes of the match. First, in the 86th minute, he was able to turn away a Martinez shot from about 14 yards out diving low to his right to make the save.

The final period was a nerve-wracking mix of great Bafana defending and needless giving-away of free-kicks by the hosts. Especially, that tackle by Aaron Mokoena was reckless and really unnecessary.

Then in the last minute of the match Josephs was again at his best, diving full stretch to his left to tip a Hugo Rodallega shot over the crossbar.

I personally would prefer Josephs as a number one choice goalkeeper. He is much more active and alive and he is a great communicator.

Bafana Win at Soccer City

In the end Bafana were able to hold out and celebrated their first win in their first match at the newly revamped Soccer City.

There were some late scares for Bafana, but “Slimkat” Josephs and man-of-the-match Khumalo combined to ensure the World Cup hosts secured a win at Africa’s biggest stadium. And Head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s ninth victory in a row with Bafana Bafana.

South Africa (1) 2 (Modise 18’ pen, Mphela 58’ pen)
Colombia (1) 1 (Moreno 21’ pen)

Image: Teko Modise Scores – Bafana Celebrate. football 365.com

Popularity: 3% [?]

South Africa takes on Colombia this evening at Soccer city. Yes, Bafana Bafana vs Colombia is going put 70 000 people in the newly refurbished stadium and the rest of the nation glued to their television sets.

Kickoff is at 8.30 tonight, when the 34th-ranked nation in the world, Colombia takes on Bafana Bafana, who are now ranked 83 ( up seven places). But after their disciplined performance and great ball retention on Sunday against Bulgaria at the Orlando Stadium, that ended in a draw, (Bulgaria are ranked 39) The Boys feel that they are ready for Colombia in another international friendly to warm up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Colombia a Real Test for Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana midfielder Steven “Schillo” Pienaar believes the national team’s friendly against the higher ranked Columbia on Thursday comes at the right time!

The Everton player told the Siya crew that Columbia would be a real test for the national team as the World Cup approaches.

“They play more or less the same style as our first opponents in the World Cup, Mexico, as they are from the same region. We have to play well and win this one,” he said.

Will Pienaar Start for Bafana?

Pienaar added that he is ready to play tonight, as he has rested enough and he feels fresh and fit.

Parreira will have to decide whether to drop Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala or Surprise Moriri to accommodate Pienaar, while there is still no clarity on whether McCarthy will finally be handed a starting berth.

It doesn’t really matter where Parreira decides to use the nifty playmaker, because Stevie P has proved he can be effective in all the attacking areas of midfield.

As for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Pienaar is positive, “I rate our chances of doing well in the tournament very high, in fact I am very confident that we will go further than the second round. We are definitely ready to go because the confidence is there, the spirit is there and I believe we will do well. The team has been doing well and I have been following their progress since they started with the training camps – Durban, Brazil and Germany – because I am part and parcel of the team even though I was not there. As for me, I am hopeful that I will get a chance to play against Colombia.”

Coffee Growers are Prepared for Bafana Bafnana

According to kickoff.com, Mexico-based striker Jackson Martinez says the ‘Coffee Growers’ are fully aware that Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will be going all out tonight in view of the fact that the Colombians are the most experienced side the South Africans have faced in their preparations leading up to the World Cup. They will also not be intimidated by the vuvuzelas.

“They are expecting to see more speed, a higher level of technical play, particularly with the ball on the ground,” says the right-footed hitman.

Speaking in a reported published in Medellin, Martinez said coach Hernan Gomez will use goalkeeper David Ospina; Camilo Zúñiga, Cristian Zapata, Mario Yepes, Pablo Gunsmith; Freddy Guarín, Victor Ibarbo, Adrián Branches, Abel Aguilar, Giovanni Moreno and himself as the core of tonight’s squad.

Final 23 Man Squad to be Announced on June 1

The final 23-man squad for the World Cup will be announced publicly on June 1. Initially, the association had indicated it would be announced on May 31, but that was before Carlos Alberto Parreira requested another friendly. Bafana will play against Guatemala on May 31 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, hence the decision to announce the squad officially on June 1.

For more information about transport and parking for the Bafana Bafana vs Colombia match

Image: Soccer City: football365.com

Popularity: 10% [?]

According to Sowetan, City of Johannesburg 2010 executive director Sibongile Mazibuko said the SA National Roads Agency had agreed to open the link between the highways for tonight’s Bafana Bafana vs Columbia game at Soccer City.

Motorists travelling south on the N1 would be able to take a new off-ramp called N17, she said. “Spectators are urged to off-ramp here, turn left and follow the signs to the Shareworld park-and-walk. There are 4500 parking spaces here.” Mazibuko said the city expected a large crowd for the game, which starts at 8.30pm, and made extensive arrangements to ensure everybody got to the game on time.

Plan your Route to Soccer City

However, she warned that spectators also had to play their part. “This includes planning your route to the match and your mode of transport, giving yourself enough time to get to the game and obeying law enforcement officers.” Over 300 Johannesburg metro police officers and Gauteng traffic officers would be deployed to ensure there was no traffic congestion. Security marshals would be posted in parking areas.

Rea Vaya BRT

Rea Vaya will be operating from both Soweto and the CBD to Soccer City. All passengers will disembark at the Soccer City Rea Vaya Station on the Soweto Highway. After the match, those returning to the CBD must go to the Soccer City Station and those who are returning to Soweto must use the Nasrec Rea Vaya Station at the Transport Hub. The price of a Rea Vaya ticket is R12 return. Match holders are urged to buy a return ticket so that they can have a speedy trip back after the game and will not have to queue to get a ticket.

Constitutional Hill Park and Ride

There will be Park and Ride from Constitutional Hill in Braamfontein. Spectators from the M1 motorway are urged to take either the St Andrews Road off ramp from M1 South and from St. Andrews Road from M1 North. From the St Andrews Road, turn right at Victoria Street and continue on to Joubert Street Extension. The entrance is on the right. The Park and Ride will start operating at 17h30.

Metro buses will transport spectators to the game. This Park and Ride will be for free.

Park and Walks

There will be a number of areas around Soccer City, which will be designated for parking including the Shareworld Park and Walk, Rand Show Road Park and Walk and the parking around Nasrec Expo Centre.

Kickoff.com says that they are very relieved by the fact that SANRAL have agreed to open the new N17 link from the N1.

If you travel from South on N1, a new off ramp will be open which is called “N17.” Spectators are urged to off ramp here, turn left and follow the signs to the Shareworld Park and Walk. There are 4 500 parking spaces here.

Other recommended routes are as follows:

• From M1 South, use Nasrec/ Eldorado Park turn off, and look for parking along Nasrec Road;
• From Booysens area, Booysens Reserve Road can be used and you are encouraged to follow the signs to the Shareworld Park and Walk;
• From N1 South, you are advised to take Rand Show Road off ramp and park at the Rand Show Park and Walk.
• From Soweto, you are advised to use Ben Naude which becomes Rand Show Road and look for parking around Nasrec Exhibition Centre;
• From the East, use Rifle Range Road and turn Right into Nasrec Road.

To avoid traffic bottlenecks, the roads around Soccer City will be only open for ticket holders who will be directed by law enforcement officers where to park. Other road users are urged to make use of alternative routes and avoid Soccer City during the match.

Popularity: 11% [?]