OWN CORRESPONDENT, Johannesburg | Friday 2.00pm.
A BATTLE of epic proprtions awaits spectators at Vosloorus Stadium when South Africa’s national under-23 side, the Amaglug-glug take on Cameroon in an Olympic qualifying match on Saturday.
The visitors sport a team studded with African Nations Cup jewels, and the Amaglug-glug wil have their work cut out to prevent a loss to what is the strongest under-23 team on the continent.
Cameroon have a powerful combination containing six players from the side that won the African Nations Cup, and added to an already dangerous side, the imports may give the Indomitable Lions the edge.
The Amaglug-glug desperately need a win, for their sake and coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba’s, after going down 2-1 to Angola in a pre-Olympic qualifier at Orlando Stadium two weeks ago.
The South Africans also have a number of stars sprinkled throughout the team, with Bafana Bafana hero Banni McCarthy at the forefront of the attack.
Orlando Pirates star Steve Lekoelea is also in the team as are Jabe Pule, Aaron Mokoena and Siyabonga Novete.
There has been growing confusion over whether Quinton Fortune has been included in the squad, but it seeems as if Mashaba has decided to let the midfielder return to England. On Thursday it was reported that Mashaba ignored Fortune’s Manchester United recall, as well as a directive from Safa boss Raymond Hack to let Fortune go.
The growing rift between Hack and Mashaba has been well-documented, and it is likely that Mashaba will face the consequences if his side loses on Saturday.
Fortune was included in the national under-23 squad to meet the Indomitable Lions The second-leg clash will take place in Yaounde on February 26.
SA squad:
Emille Baron, Wayne Roberts, Nkhipitheni Matombo, Fabian McCarthy, Quinton Fortune, Matthew Booth, Aaron Mokoena, David Kannemeyer, Patrick Mbuthu, Stanton Fredericks, Jabu Pule, Steve Lekoelea, Abram Nteo, Benni McCarthy, Daniel Matshau, Nkosinathi Nhleko, Siyabonga Nomvete, Hendrik Gulwa.