Leone Stars v Bafana close contest!
Sierra Leone will face South Africa’s team for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign this weekend, and we all know it is a stern test for both sides; more especially South Africa having failed to make the last tournament, Sierra Leone was one of the teams that stopped Bafana. (Photo: (l) Coach Cole, (r) Coach Pitso)
After suffering a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sierra Leone in June 2008 South Africa in the same Nations Cup/World Cup qualifier in Freetown, with Mohammed Kallon, secured the victory for the home side with a 68th minute goal.
Both sides begin their quest to reach the 2012 AFCON finals in Gabon & Equatorial Guinea, South Africa with a comfortable 2-0 win over Niger in Nelspruit last month, while Sierra Leone holding the Africa champions to a shock draw in Cairo.
Many football pundits see this encounter in the West Africa region this Sunday as a close contest, both teams looking to take a firm grip on Group G by picking up three points on the day.
The Leone Stars will be at home, but that is not clear enough to pick up maximum points, however history most likely to repeat itself, Bafana coach Pitso knows from recent experience what a difficult task it will be to come away from the West African country with a positive result.
Yet Sierra Leone’s team a few days back has been with controversy, as coach Christian Cole has opted to leave out several star players, including Sierra Leone’s most well known player Kallon.
Two other notable exclusions are Albert Jarret and Kei Kamara, who have both been handed suspensions from the national team due to alleged indiscipline during the Leone Stars’ trip to Egypt.
Nevertheless, Bafana Bafana head coach has had a couple of worries on his players, with midfielder Steven Pienaar pulling out of the squad due to injury, while Captain Aaron Mokoena has a mild groin strain. It is very obvious the South Africa technician is a worried man.
Another concern is Bafana’s other goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs who couldn’t finish the Tuesday morning training session due to dizziness. The team doctor Ephraim Nematswerani has however confirmed it as “nothing serious”.
Despite the fact that Coach Mosimane is confident that his Bafana side will pull a positive result in Freetown, “Having beaten us in 2008 they will fancy their chances. They are playing at home so they will be full of confidence, especially after their draw against Egypt earlier this month,” he said.
“At the same time we can contain them, if we attack them from the start, we are playing good football and that is an excellent foundation for us to tackle this difficult assignment in Sierra Leone. We are confident that we will bring back the results because we need to achieve our objective of retaining our position at the top of the group,” said Mosimane.
While Sierra Leone veteran master planner, Coach Christian Cole, named four uncapped players ahead of clash has said he is not frightened by the presence of “big names” in the Bafana Bafana squad. “Building a youthful side that will serve Sierra Leone well for years to come, these new players are mature enough to play for us, Partizan Belgrade midfielder Mohamed Medo Kamara, Parma reserve striker, Sulaiman Foulah Sesay, Alfred Sankoh of Stromsgodset in Norway and new AIK Solna striker Ibrahim Tetteh Bangura, will be Sierra Leone’s future players” he explained.
Sierra Leone Squad:
Keeper-Christian Caulker, Mohamed Kanu
Defenders-Ibrahim Koroma, Gibrilla Woobay, Umaru Bangura, Ahmed Deen, Ibrahim Kargbo,
Midfielders- Rodney Strasser, Mustapha Bangura, Samuel Barlay, Sheriff Suma, Alfread Sankoh,
Strikers-Mohamed Pobosky Bangura, Sam Obi Metzergar, Sulamina Fullah Sesay, Ibrahim Tetteh Bangura, Mohamed Medo Kamara
The South African squad:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits).
Defenders: Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Siboniso Gaxa (Lierse, Belgium), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngcongca (Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Midfielders: Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs).
Forwards: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sthembiso Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Twente, Netherlands).
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