Share

Bafana plan to outshine Ghana

Johannesburg - Pitso Mosimane wanted a challenge when he was installed in the Bafana Bafana hotseat and is set to get just that in his first test against Ghana.

Soccer City is expected to be packed on Wednesday night when the Black Stars tackle South Africa in the first post-World Cup clash for both sides.

Milovan Rajevac's charges were Africa's finest representatives at the showpiece - reaching the semi-finals of the tournament and cruelly denied a spot in the next round thanks to Luis Suarez's handball and Asamoah Gyan's subsequent missed penalty.

Local fans took a liking to Ghana, so much so that most are planning to support both teams at the continent's largest sporting venue.

Mosimane insists he is in a confident mood ahead of the showdown, despite stating that the Black Stars would provide a true reflection of how well Bafana have progressed.

"I am looking for continuity. We all know how good Ghana are. They were the best African side at the World Cup, but I believe we can beat them," he said.

"I am not making any promises but I have confidence in my players who I know will come to the party in my first game in charge of Bafana."

Mosimane has kept the majority of Carlos Alberto Parreira's World Cup 23, but Matthew Booth and Siyabonga Nomvete were overlooked, while Bongani Khumalo and Lucas Thwala were omitted from the original squad due to injury.

Kagisho Dikgacoi was forced to withdraw from the squad due to a muscle tear in his right thigh and his replacement, Andile Jali will also not be involved in the encounter due to an ankle injury.

Sthembiso Ngcobo, meanwhile, will be desperate to impress upon earning a rare nod for the national team - especially after he went AWOL after his first call-up.

Mosimane has revealed he is keen to look at all his options and thus, we could see two different teams in both halves at Soccer City.

Ghana, meanwhile, were forced into a late change of their own as striker Dominic Adiyiah (illness) was replaced by Ransford Osei.

Rajevac will have a strong squad at his disposal with only heavyweights Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Stephen Appiah and John Pantsil missing from the camp.

Fan favourites Kevin-Prince Boateng and Asamoah Gyan are expected to start on Wednesday night, which should keep Itumeleng Khune and Moeneeb Josephs busy in the Bafana goal.

Mosimane is eager to get his tenure off to a positive start and what better team to win against than the side who captured Africa's imagination in June and July.

The Black Stars of Ghana have kept their promise to South Africa, bringing most of their World Cup stars here for Wednesday night's friendly at Soccer City.

Bafana squad:

Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Siboniso Gaxa, Innocent Mdledle (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Bevan Fransman (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Anele Ngcongca (RC Genk, Belgium) and Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane (both Kaizer Chiefs), Daine Klate, Teko Modise (both Orlando Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia) and Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sthembiso Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns) and Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Holland).

Ghana squad:

Richard Kingson (unattached), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Samuel Inkoom (Basel), Harrison Afful (Esperance), John Mensah (Lyon), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Jonathan Mensah (Granada), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese), Andre Ayew (Marseille), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth), Cofie Bekoe (Petrojet), Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios), Asamoah Gyan (Rennes), Ransford Osei (Twente), Haminu Draman (Lokomotiv Moscow), Yaw Antwi (Vojvodina).
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1272 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2241 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE