It is with a heavy heart that I am attempting to write this South Africa vs Iceland Preview. Bafana Bafana has lost seven times in a row, and without sounding negative (ok, I am sounding negative), I do not have much hope for today’s match, even though Iceland is ranked 96.
Not Only Joel Santana
It is not just the much-vilified coach Joel Santana; it is the Bafana Bafana team as well. I watch those boys playing PSL matches and then I see them on the pitch in their Bafana colors and it is as if zombies have invaded their bodies – they are totally different players.
South Africa suffered their seventh defeat in eight games against Norway on Saturday and never looked like troubling the European side’s goal.
As a matter of fact, just over four years ago South Africa lost 4-1 to Iceland in an international friendly but just one member of that Bafana Bafana starting line-up is set to feature on Tuesday night- the Captain Aaron Mokoena.
Bafana Bafana Team
The 2010 hosts were underwhelming in Saturday’s clash with Norway and most worryingly of all, didn’t look like improving on their woeful scoring record. The strike force on Katlego Mphela and Bernard Parker were isolated up front and Teko Modise again failed to prompt any meaningful forays into the final third say football 365.com
But with Steven Pienaar ruled out with a knee injury, Santana’s attacking options in midfield are limited to Elrio van Heerden, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Modise and Franklyn Cale, who made his debut on the weekend.
It is a similar story with the forward line as although Richard Henyekane offers pace, he and Mabhuti Khenyeza and Sthembiso Ngcobo lack the international wherewithal to trouble international class backlines.
Iceland – Seasoned International Players
Iceland on the other hand, although not well ranked, has a line-up of seasoned internationals who might just teach Bafana Bafana a lesson or two. I guess the best we can hope for is a draw – the same result South Africa achieved against Iceland way back in 1998.
Emile Baron or Moeneeb Josephs
Meanwhile goalkeeper Emile Baron has been declared fit to play against Iceland. This comes after he picked up a minor finger injury at training on Friday, so will Santana use him or the in form Moeneeb Josephs who saves the team from a certain humiliation with his sharp stopping on Saturday?
South Africa take on Iceland this evening (Tuesday) at the Laugardalsvollur Stadium in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Kick off is at 20h10 South African time.
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