The 2004 African Cup of Nations is looming, with Bafana Bafana having just two more preparation games and the man at the helm of the national team has finally to separate the wheat from the chaff.
Next month Ephraim ‘Shakes†Mashaba will announce the players who will help him restore some pride, which has been in steady decline since South African won the cup in 1996.
The end of the road is in sight for many of the 39 players chosen at the beginning of Mashaba’s campaign. Those involved in the preparation games will fight for 22 places in the squad for Tunisia next year. The coach will employ two different squads in his journey to North Africa this week, where Bafana Bafana is to play friendlies against Egypt and Tunisia.
This should come as a blessing to Mashaba, as rumour has it that he wanted 33 for the outing up north but only 20 could depart for Egypt with him. Eight players from this group will return after the game against the Pharaohs on Saturday and another eight will join the squad in Tunisia.
The players who will return after viewing the pyramids to prepare for the Coca-Cola Cup semifinals are four Kaizer Chiefs players (John Moshoeu, Jabu Pule, Patrick Mayo and David Kannemeyer), one from Wits (Benson Mhlongo) and Golden Arrow’s Sphiwe Mkhonza.
The replacements for Wednesday’s game against Tunisia are Clement Mazibuko, Godfrey Sapula, Goodman Mazibuko, Saul Molapo, Abraham Raselemane, Edward Malinga and Lovers Mohlala.Â
The last time the Pharaohs played Bafana in a friendly they lost 1-0 at Johannesburg stadium, but the Egyptian national team has made a point of winning all competitive matches against South Africa: 1-0 in the Nations Cup in 1996 and 2-0 to lift the Nations Cup in 1998.Â
There is another issue in the background of the friendly on Saturday, however: the Egyptians are rival bidders for the 2010 World Cup.
After the Egypt game, Bafana Bafana fly to meet the 2004 hosts Tunisia.
The international contingent to play in the game against Egypt and Tunisia is Emile Baron, Mbulelo Mabizela, Thabang Molefe, Jacob Lekgetho, Aaron Mokoena, Tony Coyle, McBeth Sibaya, Delron Buckley, Siyabonga Nomvete, Sibusiso Zuma, Benedict McCarthy and Nkosinathi Nhleko. Steven Pienaar and Japhet Zwane were also part of the team, but had to be left out owing to injuries.
Mashaba has beaten both Costa Rica and Lesotho in his past two preparation matches. In fact, the coach has a perfect record, as the national team is yet to be beaten with him at the helm.