Bafana Bafana suffered another blow when midfield star Quinton Fortune failed to show up at the squad’s final training session at the Absa stadium on Wednesday ahead of Thursday night’s showdown against England at the same venue. Kick-off is at 8.30pm.
The Manchester United player apparently told coach Jomo Sono he was available but Sono was as mystified as anyone when Fortune failed to arrive at camp to prepare for the friendly international to promote South Africa’s 2010 World Cup bid.
”It has disrupted my plans but life goes on and maybe he will be here before the kick-off. I simply do not know any more at this stage,” Sono told a media briefing after a 90 minute workout.
But the good news was the arrival of the country’s leading goal scorer, Shaun Bartlett, who has plenty of experience playing against the likes of Manchester United’s Rio Ferdinand and Phil Neville, Middlesbrough’s Gareth Southgate and Leeds United’s Danny Mills, who are expected to form the core of the England defence.
Bartlett was looking confident and said that Bafana could surprise England.
”This is a very important game for us. This match officially launches our 2010 World Cup bid and a good showing against England will do wonders in convincing the world body Fifa (International Federation of Football Association) that we deserve to be given the chance of hosting the finals. The ball is now in our court and it is up to the players to get out there and perform.”
Bartlett was originally dropped, along with his striking partner Benni McCarthy, captain and defensive king pin Lucas Radebe and Fortune, by coach Shakes Mashaba. But once Mashaba insisted on fielding a weakened squad made up of mainly local based PSL players, the bid committee — who are paying for the England visit to promote the bid in Europe — stepped in and forced the South African Football Association to relieve Mashaba of his duties for this match.
Sono replaced Mashaba on Sunday. However, Safa (South African Football Association) insist that Sono is only in charge for this match and that Mashaba will resume his duties as national coach once it is over.
Sono tried to sort out the mess by calling up his seasoned players; but he was unable to get World Cup striker Siyabonga Nomvete who plays in Serie A for Udinese. Fellow World Cup stars Sibusiso Zuma of FC Copenhagen and German-based wing back Bradley Carnell were also unavailable due to club commitments.
The lack of a decent left wing back to replace the experienced Carnell has forced Sono to draft in promising Ajax Cape Town youngster Brett Evans, who could be asked to mark England captain and superstar David Beckham.
Says Radebe: ”We are still in with a big chance. What we have to do is play it simple. This is a tremendous opportunity for all South Africans. It is vital we show the world we are able to hold our own against England and make a success of this game and keep us ahead in the race to win the bid to stage the 2010 finals. I was in the side that lost 2-1 to England in 1997. I have waited a long time to the return game and hopefully we can avenge that defeat.”
Radebe and company have the job of keeping the two Liverpool strikers, Emile Heskey and Michael Owen, quiet.
Radebe earns his 70th cap and will retire from international soccer to concentrate on completing his contract with English Premiership club Leeds United.
The match was sold out on Tuesday and although there are a number of English fans roaming around Durban and no hotel accommodation to be found, Bafana can expect massive support from the capacity 50 000 plus crowd.
Spanish-based McCarthy also expressed his confidence.
”We must put all the problems behind us and I appeal to the crowd to really get behind us.”
The absence of Durban born Zuma gives Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Stanton Fredericks his big chance to shine on the right wing.
”This is an opportunity of a lifetime and if I am selected to play I aim to make the most of the opportunity.”
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson stated that he was expecting a tough match.
”South Africa has a number of overseas-based professionals and we know they will be a tough side to play against.”
Beckham has been a major drawcard and said that he was honoured to lead England out in the first full international between the countries on African soil.
”I have a healthy respect for the skills of players like Lucas Radebe who I have played against many times and know that this is not going to be an easy night for us.”
But Sono is promising a spectacle.
”I would be happy to see lots of goals. A score of 11-9 would be nice. The accent from my side will be to entertain the crowd.” – Sapa