Tanzania/South Africa: SA Unveils Squad for Stars Tie

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

Majuto Omary

9 May 2011

South Africa’s national soccer team coach, Pitso Mosimane, has drafted in two more players for Saturday’s friendly match against the national soccer team, Taifa Stars, at the National Stadium.They are Siphiwe Tshabalala of Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelod Sundowns’ Teko Tsholofelo Modise, according to FIFA agent Damas Ndumbalo.Ndumbalo said yesterday that Mosimane wants to gauge his players ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against defending champions Egypt.

He said Tottenham Hotspurs’ midfielder Steven Pienaar is the only South Africa’s overseas-based players who would miss the anxiously awaited showdown at the 60,000-seater venue.

Bafana Bafana will also be without Orlando Pirates’ ace striker Thlou Segoleta and midfielder Andile Jaji, whose teams face off in the crucial Nedbank Cup semi final this weekend.

The South Africans, who are expected in the country on Thursday, will also have on board Bafana Bafana’s first choice goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and midfield maestro Yeye Letsholonyane.Also in the list are Morgan Gould, Siyanda Xulu, Mzuvukile Tom, Prince Hlela, Eric Mathoho, Thanduyise Khuboni, Siyabonga Sangweni and Katlego Mphela, according to squad coach Mosimane unveiled yesterday.

Attacking midfielder Bernard Parker, who returned to South Africa recently from Greece where he was featuring for one of the top teams, is another player Taifa Stars will have to mark carefully on Saturday. Currently, the South African player trains with AmaZulu.

For Stars, the high-profile friendly will be part of their preparations for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Central African Republic.Meanwhile, Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) says TP Mazembe’s new signing Tanzanian Mbwana Samatta will be available for the Bafana Bafana match.

TFF information officer Boniface Wambura said yesterday that Samatta would join his colleagues at camp in Dar es Salaam today.Samatta, one of the players Stars bank on for goals, left for Lubumbashi, DR Congo last week to, among other issues, seal his contract with the 2010 FIFA World Cup runners up and CAF Champions League title holders.

AllAfrica – All the Time