Andrew Muchineripi : Soccer
The South African soccer squad is set for a major forced overhaul ahead of the World Cup warm-up match against three-time champions Germany in Dusseldorf on November 15.
Because the friendly clashes with the Rothmans Cup semi-finals, no players from Kaizer Chiefs, Manning Rangers, Orlando Pirates or Sundowns are available for the prestigious fixture.
This rules out Brian Baloyi, Neil Tovey and Mark Williams of Chiefs, Clinton Larsen and Simon Makhubela of Rangers, Willem Jackson, John Moeti and Dumisa Ngobe of Pirates and Isaac Shai and Alex Bapela of Sundowns. If those absentees are not sufficent to see national coach Clive Barker reaching for the headache tablets, Doctor Khumalo is joining Chiefs during the American close season and will be required for the Rothmans Cup. English-based Mark Fish and Eric Tinkler did not play for their clubs last week, raising further concerns ahead of a return match against the Germans, who were lucky to escape with a goalless draw at Johannesburg Stadium in December 1995.
Despite the personnel problems, the South African Football Association (Safa) is not considering postponing or cancelling the match at the 55 000-seat Rhein Stadium in the industrial heartland of Germany. Safa vice-president Irvin Khoza declared this week that the result was not important (are you listening over-critical supporters?) and the match offered Bafana Bafana an opportunity to test new players.
After being crucified by some sections of the media and on radio talk shows following an honourable 2-1 loss in France, the mind boggles as to what awaits Barker should Germany capitalise on weakened opponents and win resoundingly.
South Africa can still call on its foreign- based contingent, namely captain Lucas Radebe, Andr Arendse, Shaun Bartlett, Philemon Masinga, Benni McCarthy, Helman Mkhalele and Shoes Moshoeu. However, it is debatable whether off-form Moshoeu and Mkhalele deserve places after timid showings in France where South Africa were overrun in midfield for most of the second half.
This placed the defence under sustained pressure and the inevitable cracks appeared with Radebe presenting the first goal on a plate while mistakes by Shai, Jackson and Tovey contributed to the second. David Nyathi and Fani Madida were named by Khoza as players who might be recalled, but is this not defeating the object of testing fresh faces ahead of the Confederations Cup in December, the African Cup in February and the big one next June.
Robbed of players from leading local clubs, Barker must cast his net much wider than before and the selection seems bound to stir considerable conversation, hopefully minus some of the heat and hate of late. Arendse and long-time reserve Mark Anderson are obvious selections as goalkeepers and if a third is required, Simon Gopane of Bloemfontein Celtic could earn his first call-up.
Barker seems keen on Pierre Issa although the Olympique Marseilles defender has not played in the French First Division this season and others worthy of consideration include Papi Khomane of Jomo Cosmos, Cyril Nzama of Bush Bucks and Carlos das Neves of Hellenic.
Local midfielders in contention are Brian Sebapole and Vusi Mncwanga of Cosmos, Stanton Fredericks and Ashley Makhanya of Wits, David Kannemeyer of Cape Town Spurs, Thabo Mngomeni of Bucks and Naughty Mokoena of Amazulu. Attack appears the least problematic area with Masinga, McCarthy and Bartlett vying for two places while out-of- favour Pollen Ndlanya and Brendan Augustine could be drafted in.
Several Premier Soccer League coaches, who sadly agreed to talk only on condition of anonymity, believe Barker should use the visit to Germany to test Robbie Milne, the former Rangers wingback now with a third division club.
Before the humble Muchineripi desk is littered with letters inquiring why Bafana Bafana must stoop so low to find talent, let me hasten to add that many African national players perform at the same level and do their countries proud.