Sports / Soccer
Depleted Bafana Bafana for Mashonaland United match
14 Nov 2011 at 04:21hrs | Views
A DEPLETED Bafana Bafana jetted into the country yesterday for their international friendly against the Warriors at Rufaro tomorrow evening, without nine of their regular players who featured in the Nelson Mandela Challenge against Cote d'Ivoire on Saturday.
Mosimane dropped his captain and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Steven Pienaar and the foreign contingent of Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi, Getafe defender Tsepo Masilela, Belgium-based defensive duo of Racing Genk's Anele Ngconga and Siboniso Gaxa of Lierse.
There was also no place for Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mphela who scored Bafana's equaliser on Saturday with a trademark free kick in the second half after Cote d'Ivoire had got the opener in the first half through an own goal by defender Gaxa.
The Kaizer Chiefs midfield duo of Siphiwe Tshabalala and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, together with Orlando Pirates Siyabonga Sangweni were also rested.
Coach Mosimane said he decided to rest most of the senior players after they worked tirelessly in the tough match against the Elephants and is using the opportunity to try a number of young players.
The former SuperSport mentor said his side is not weak as the players who warmed the bench on Saturday would also want to to prove a point.
Bafana Bafana coach said they are expecting a good game from the hosts.
The experienced trio of goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs, Belgium-based midfielder Dayton Claasen and SuperSport defender Morgan Gould - who started in the Challenge match on Saturday - made the short trip and are likely to start again tomorrow.
In the absence of chief striker Mphela, the gaffer is likely to use the pair of Jomo Cosmos forward Siyabonga Nontshinga, who came in as a substitute against the Elephants earning his first senior cap, and SuperSport's Kermit Erasmus.
Kaizer Chiefs' young midfielder George Lebese - who also played his first match for Bafana on Saturday - George Maluleka, Pirates' Oupa Manyisa and Thanduyise Khuboni, who all came as second half substitutes against the West Africans, are also expected to start against the Warriors.
Mamelodi Sundowns left back Punch Masenamela, Bradley Grobler, and Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele are also expected to have a run in tomorrow's match.
The Warriors were expected to troop into camp last night four hours after their opponents had arrived.
Warriors manager Shariff Mussa said he would be in a better position to comment on the players available after everyone had reported for camp last night.
The bulk of the Zimbabwean players ply their trade in South Africa.
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi and Moroka Swallows defender Gilbert Mapemba, were already in the country and, yesterday afternoon, watched former team CAPS United beat Shooting Stars.
Mosimane dropped his captain and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Steven Pienaar and the foreign contingent of Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi, Getafe defender Tsepo Masilela, Belgium-based defensive duo of Racing Genk's Anele Ngconga and Siboniso Gaxa of Lierse.
There was also no place for Mamelodi Sundowns striker Katlego Mphela who scored Bafana's equaliser on Saturday with a trademark free kick in the second half after Cote d'Ivoire had got the opener in the first half through an own goal by defender Gaxa.
The Kaizer Chiefs midfield duo of Siphiwe Tshabalala and Reneilwe Letsholonyane, together with Orlando Pirates Siyabonga Sangweni were also rested.
Coach Mosimane said he decided to rest most of the senior players after they worked tirelessly in the tough match against the Elephants and is using the opportunity to try a number of young players.
The former SuperSport mentor said his side is not weak as the players who warmed the bench on Saturday would also want to to prove a point.
Bafana Bafana coach said they are expecting a good game from the hosts.
In the absence of chief striker Mphela, the gaffer is likely to use the pair of Jomo Cosmos forward Siyabonga Nontshinga, who came in as a substitute against the Elephants earning his first senior cap, and SuperSport's Kermit Erasmus.
Kaizer Chiefs' young midfielder George Lebese - who also played his first match for Bafana on Saturday - George Maluleka, Pirates' Oupa Manyisa and Thanduyise Khuboni, who all came as second half substitutes against the West Africans, are also expected to start against the Warriors.
Mamelodi Sundowns left back Punch Masenamela, Bradley Grobler, and Orlando Pirates defender Happy Jele are also expected to have a run in tomorrow's match.
The Warriors were expected to troop into camp last night four hours after their opponents had arrived.
Warriors manager Shariff Mussa said he would be in a better position to comment on the players available after everyone had reported for camp last night.
The bulk of the Zimbabwean players ply their trade in South Africa.
Mamelodi Sundowns striker Nyasha Mushekwi and Moroka Swallows defender Gilbert Mapemba, were already in the country and, yesterday afternoon, watched former team CAPS United beat Shooting Stars.
Source - TH
