South Africa v Angola

I know I was meant to post after the game against Botswana but some people (my employers) seem to think that there is a world that exists away from football…shocking I know! So this will be a no bells and frills post, here we go…

So then, let us summarise the last few days. We managed to beat Botswana 2-1. Admittedly we didn’t play as well as we did against Mozambique but we kept the sequence of wins going and I’m sure that will do wonders for morale going in to the match against Angola.

With regards to the composition of the team it was pretty much the same. Moeneeb Josephs was drafted into the team at the expense of the inured Fernandez and Ajax Cape Town left-back Brett Evans started in place of Tsepho Masilela.

We controlled much of the first half and deservedly went into the break leading 1-0 courtesy of a deflected shot from right-back Bryce Moon. Into the second half Botswana levelled completely against the run of play after which Sibusiso Zuma scored the winner from close range. Botswana had two men sent off late in the game for reckless challenges, one of which injured captain Aaron Mokoena who was replaced by Golden Arrows defensive midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi. There were also second half run outs for Lerato Chabangu, Elrio van Heerden and Terror Fanteni.

I guess it doesn’t bode well that the likes of Lance Davids, Tumelo Nhlapo, Excellent Walaza and Bevan Fransman haven’t been given a run yet but football is a squad game and you never know what might happen when the tournament kicks off for Bafana Bafana.

Which brings me to the match preview against Angola, we better win!

Right, everybody has been telling me that we’re going to lose. I refuse to listen. I reckon that we’ve got a great chance of surprising Angola in the opening game. Yes, Angola qualified for the last World Cup. Yes, Angola qualified with ease for the Africa Cup of Nations. Yes, they’re going into this game as favourites. Yet, I still sense that we can get something out this game.

On the injury front we have Rowen Fernandez sitting this one out with minor finger fractures. He should be fine for the next game but Parreira has said that if Josephs plays well he might not be dropped for the rest of the tournament. This has come as a massive blow to Fernandez who went into the tournament as clear first-choice.

Aaron Mokoena and Tsepho Masilela have both shaken off slight knocks and will both be fit to start. I feel that our progress in this tournament will largely be determined by the steely resolve of Aaron Mokoena in the holding role. If the defensive unit can hold firm, anything can happen!

Angolan danger-men include Flavio and Manucho, who has recently signed for Manchester United so he might be worth having a look at!

Probable Line-up:

Josephs, Moon, Masilela, Mhlongo, Morris, Mokoena, Pienaar, Modise, Moriri, Zuma, Tshabalala

With all the latest happening here in South Africa of which Naeem has been kind enough to share with you all, the least Bafana can give us is a glimmer of light. Pun intended.

C’mon boys! Make us proud…