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Atteridgeville – Katlego Mphela’s brilliant goal against Denmark on Saturday did not just end Bafana Bafana’s World Cup preparations on a high, but also ensured him of a place in coach Carlos Albert Parreira’s starting line-up against Mexico.
South Africa, who beat Denmark 1-0, open the 2010 World Cup against Mexico at Soccer City on Friday.
After a careful start and a few squandered opportunities, Mphela got the breakthrough in the 76th minute when he slipped past the defenders and beat Danish goalkeeper Stefan Andersen after a brilliant pass by Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
Mphela, who has been struggling for form the past few months after being the leading goalscorer in this year’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), should now get the nod ahead of Bernard Parker and Siyabonga Nomvethe.
Letsholonyane also looks certain of his place.
While most of the attention in the last five training games was focused on midfielders Steven Pienaar, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Teko Modise and Siphiwe Tshabalala, Letsholonyane was the team’s unsung hero against the Danes.
Itumeleng Khune also made sure that he will be in goal after a strong challenge in recent weeks by Moeneeb Josephs.
Khune’s good goalkeeping in the latter stages of matches have ensured that the host country are now unbeaten in 13 consecutive games, while he also does not have an equal as a distributor.
The Bafana coach is still scratching his head over who should play as defensive midfielder with Letsholonyane. He also has to make a call between Tsepo Masilela and Lucas Thwala at left back.
Dikgacoi has been Letsholonyane’s regular partner, but was unconvincing against the Danes. He is likely to concede his place to promising youngster Thanduyise Khuboni.
Thwala has also delivered one good performance after another after replacing the injured Masilela against Guatemala.
“I have a very good idea now of how my starting line-up will look, but I’m still uncertain about which one of Kagisho and Khuboni will play,” said Parreira.
“Kagisho is very experienced and played in the English Premier League (for Fulham), while Khuboni has distinguished himself as a quality player since our first training camp in January. I’ll sleep on it and make the tough call in a day or two.”
Parreira would also have been delighted with the performances of Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena, Modise and Tshabalala, who was quiet against Guatemala.
“It’s fantastic that we could win against a good side like Denmark,” said Mokoena.
“We never gave up and that is a good sign before we play Mexico.”
Atteridgeville – Katlego Mphela’s brilliant goal against Denmark on Saturday did not just end Bafana Bafana’s World Cup preparations on a high, but also ensured him of a place in coach Carlos Albert Parreira’s starting line-up against Mexico.
South Africa, who beat Denmark 1-0, open the 2010 World Cup against Mexico at Soccer City on Friday.
After a careful start and a few squandered opportunities, Mphela got the breakthrough in the 76th minute when he slipped past the defenders and beat Danish goalkeeper Stefan Andersen after a brilliant pass by Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
Mphela, who has been struggling for form the past few months after being the leading goalscorer in this year’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), should now get the nod ahead of Bernard Parker and Siyabonga Nomvethe.
Letsholonyane also looks certain of his place.
While most of the attention in the last five training games was focused on midfielders Steven Pienaar, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Teko Modise and Siphiwe Tshabalala, Letsholonyane was the team’s unsung hero against the Danes.
Itumeleng Khune also made sure that he will be in goal after a strong challenge in recent weeks by Moeneeb Josephs.
Khune’s good goalkeeping in the latter stages of matches have ensured that the host country are now unbeaten in 13 consecutive games, while he also does not have an equal as a distributor.
The Bafana coach is still scratching his head over who should play as defensive midfielder with Letsholonyane. He also has to make a call between Tsepo Masilela and Lucas Thwala at left back.
Dikgacoi has been Letsholonyane’s regular partner, but was unconvincing against the Danes. He is likely to concede his place to promising youngster Thanduyise Khuboni.
Thwala has also delivered one good performance after another after replacing the injured Masilela against Guatemala.
“I have a very good idea now of how my starting line-up will look, but I’m still uncertain about which one of Kagisho and Khuboni will play,” said Parreira.
“Kagisho is very experienced and played in the English Premier League (for Fulham), while Khuboni has distinguished himself as a quality player since our first training camp in January. I’ll sleep on it and make the tough call in a day or two.”
Parreira would also have been delighted with the performances of Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena, Modise and Tshabalala, who was quiet against Guatemala.
“It’s fantastic that we could win against a good side like Denmark,” said Mokoena.
“We never gave up and that is a good sign before we play Mexico.”
