Andrew Muchineripi Soccer
Bafana Bafana are just one week away from the greatest challenge of their seven-year existence. Next Friday evening in the Mediterranean port city of Marseille, they face World Cup hosts France.
It will be the opening Group C match for the countries and both realise that a victory would leave them well placed to reach the knockout second stage of the 32-nation competition.
While failure would not close the door on Bafana Bafana, it would leave them needing at least a win and a draw from matches against Denmark and Saudi Arabia to have any hope of advancing.
Even that points tally might not be enough in a mini-league that promises to be much closer than originaly thought with France and Denmark considered certain qualifiers when the draw was made last December.
The French really are a cheeky lot, with coach Aime Jacquet boasting that no South African player concerned him, while Danish counterpart Bo Johansson sent similar signals from Copenhagen.
We trust Philippe Troussier is planning to give them hell! Well, he has given everyone else hell so why not the enemy? This time we will be right behind you Monsieur White Witchdoctor.
When naming his final 22, Troussier said he had 14 first-team candidates and eight players who could act as cover. They were the only clues provided by the man who specialises in teasing the media.
While this descendant of the noble Muchineripi tribe is quick to admit to many failings, never let it be said that cowardice is among them. Armed only with a magnifying glass, I set out to solve the mystery.
Which 11 will start against France? Which seven will sit on the bench? Which four will watch from the Stade Velodrome stands? Here is my humble assessment of the intriguing situation.
Let us start with goalkeepers Hans Vonk, Brian Baloyi and Andre Arendse, who played in the eight qualifying matches and kept six blank sheets. Despite those impressive statistics and the promise of Baloyi, Vonk appears the first choice.
I must admit to not being particularly impressed by the Dutch-based latecomer to the squad as he showed indecision for the Zambian goal and badly misjudged the intentions of Ariel Ortega for the second Argentine goal.
Competent? Yes. Brilliant? No. Troussier believes the European experience of Vonk gives him the edge over Baloyi, who recovered from a traumatic time in Namibia last January to be rated number two in Africa following the Nations Cup.
Assuming South Africa adopt a 3-5-2 formation, there will be three defenders consisting of a sweeper and two man markers, and Mark Fish and captain Lucas Radebe are certain of places.
That leaves incumbent Willem Jackson, Themba Mnguni and Pierre Issa (who plays his club football at the match venue) contesting the other jersey with Jackson probably marginally ahead of Mnguni.
While Jackson did not perform well in Buenos Aires as a rightback, it should be remembered that he was operating away from his normal left, central defensive position. Mnguni is probably a better defender, although less adventurous.
The midfield is unlikely to differ much, if at all, from that which faced two-time world champions Argentina, meaning a starting line-up of Helman Mkhalele, Brendan Augustine, “Shoes’ Moshoeu, Quinton Fortune and David Nyathi.
This is a quintet that can be formidable going forward but lacks defensive solidity with Mkhalele and Shoes particularly weak. Nyathi is not without his faults in this area either.
Fortune sparkled against Argentina, attacking and defending with the vigour so necessary for a modern midfielder. Doctor Khumalo and Delron Buckley are the best of the rest and capable of making meaningful contributions if called up.
That leaves Naugthy Boy Mokoena, Lebogang Morula and Alfred Phiri idle and likely companions for Arendse in one of the stands at a stadium that accommodates a crowd of 60E000.
There are four strikers with Phil Masinga, whose 14 goals make him the leading Bafana Bafana scorer, certain to start and Shaun Bartlett and Benni McCarthy vying for the other place.
Most South Africans would consider a starting line-up without ultra-popular McCarthy unthinkable, but do not be surprised if Troussier deploys him as a sub deluxe who comes on with about 30 minutes left.
The Bafana Bafana team to face France is unlikely to differ much from the following: goalkeeper – Vonk, defenders – Jackson (or Mnguni), Fish, Radebe, midfielders – Mkhalele, Augustine, Moshoeu, Fortune, Nyathi, strikers – Masinga, Bartlett (or McCarthy)
Reserves: goalkeeper – Baloyi, defenders – Jackson (or Mnguni), Pierre Issa, midfielders – Doctor Khumalo, Delron Buckley, strikers – Bartlett (or McCarthy), Jerry Sikhosana.
Non-playing reserves: goalkeeper – Arendse, midfielders -Mokoena, Lebogang Morula and Alfred Phiri.