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Bafana to make SA proud

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana - minus international striker Benni McCarthy - are ready to make South Africa proud in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, coach Parreira said in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

"Our mission is a big one [to make South Africa proud] and they have bought into the idea," Parreira told media while announcing his final 23 man squad in Sandton, Johannesburg.

On his return to the country last year, Parreira said numerous South Africans had asked him to ensure that his team would live up to the expectations of the local fans.

He expressed his satisfaction with the team saying: "It's competition time. Our goal is to go as far as we can in the World Cup."

One of the biggest upsets in the final squad was the exclusion of England-based McCarthy.

The full 23-man Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Moeneeb Josephs, Shu-Aib Walters.

Defenders: Siboniso Gaxa, Matthew Booth, Lucas Thwala, Aaron Mokoena (captain), Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni, Tsepo Masilela and Anele Ngcongca.

Midfielders: Lance Davids, Steven Pienaar, Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Thanduyise Khuboni, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Macbeth Sibaya and Surprise Moriri.

Strikers: Katlego Mphela, whom Parreira described as performing at the best of his career, overseas-based Bernard Parker and Siyabonga Nomvete.

Besides McCarthy, those left out were: Rowen Fernandez, Franklin Cale, Andile Jali and Bryce Moon.

"It was a difficult and sad decision to make. Some of the boys who have been left out have been with me since the Durban training camp in January.

"But at the end of the day we have to follow the rules and regulations because FIFA wants only 23 players," said Parreira.

Players were assessed on their physical condition, technical level, tactical knowledge, discipline and their ability to play as a team.

An emotional SA Football Association president Kirsten Nematandani reminded Bafana that the country was supporting them.

"Forty-eight million people of South Africa are behind you, stand up and be counted."

He commended the players for their discipline and the progress they had made since they began their camps in Brazil and Germany.

"There's great progress every time they play. We see an improvement," Nematandani said.

He pleaded with media to use the power they have to comment positively on the team.

"The tongue has power to build and power to destroy. Please use this power positively, just this time," he said.

He urged South Africans to take to the streets and blow their vuvuzelas on June 9 in support of the team.

Bafana will play their last friendly international against Denmark on June 4.
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