Now that Benni McCarthy has again turned his back on Bafana Bafana, Bernard Parker and Katlego Mashego could get the chance to establish themselves as the new strike partnership when the national side host Norway in the annual Nelson Mandela Challenge to be staged at the revamped Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is at 3pm.
Mashego replaced the ”injured” McCarthy this week and there is no doubt the new Orlando Pirates star deserves his chance to shine and show national coach Joel Santana what he is capable of on the international stage.
Mashego said his move from PSL champions SuperSport to Pirates, was a good career move for him. ”I love playing for a big club like Pirates. I have rediscovered my confidence and the goals have started coming. Hopefully I can duplicate them against Norway. The fact I got the call up is brilliant and offers me the chance to fight for a place in the Confederations Cup,” he said.
Bafana kick-off the Confederations Cup against Iraq at Ellis Park on June 14. The competition is being used by Fifa as a dress rehearsal for next year´s World Cup finals.
Parker recently joined crack Serbian club Red Stars Belgrade, from Thanda Royal Zulu. Parker is enjoying life in the Serbian capital but said: ”It is cold and the standard of soccer is different, but I have settled in well and enjoying my game.” Parker has scored twice in the four matches he has played for Red Star.
Parker announced his presence on the international stage with two goals in a 3-0 win over Malawi in Germiston in September last year. He has scored four goals for Bafana in 12 appearances and has been hailed as the successor to McCarthy.
Santana rates Parker, but he also likes free scoring Ajax Cape Town striker Mabhuti Khenyeza, who scores regularly for his club, but has yet to score for his country. However, he has only played three times for Bafana but appears to get stage fright at this level.
Said Parker: ”I am hoping to play, but there are other players in the squad who are equally good and whose job it is to score goals. So it will be up to the coach.”
Also in the running is second striker Siyabonga Nkosi, who has continually flattered to deceive for Bafana. Two goals in 24 caps is not a good return for the Israel-based player who appears more comfortable in a midfield role.
Fans can expect Bafana to sweat blood as they know that, after Norway, they play star-studded Portugal in Switzerland in their final friendly warm-up before Santana selects his squad for the Confederations Cup.
Santana faces a huge goalkeeping poser as to which of Itumeleng Khune, Calvin Marlin or Rowen Fernandez will play. Khune has suffered a dip in form for his club Kaizer Chiefs, Marlin has been rock solid for his club Mamelodi Sundowns, while the most experienced keeper is German based Fernandez, who recently recovered from a lengthy injury and admitted he had not played for his
Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld.
Said Fernandez: ”I am happy to be back in the squad. I will work my socks off this week and hope to convince the coach to pick me, but if I have to sit on the bench I will not complain and fully support whoever the coach selects.”
Pirates midfield magician Teko Modise will be the key in midfield and will need help from attack minded Surprise Moriri, who is on form for his club Downs, and Chiefs’ sparkling left wing Siphiwe Tshabalala. Tshabalala is hoping to get some space on the left. He said: ”I will float in as many balls for the strikers into the penalty area as I can. But this match is all about teamwork and preparing for the Confederations Cup. We want to win after we played badly against Chile. The mood in the camp is back to its best.”
Bafana were humbled by a more organised Chile and lost 2-0. Santana will have learnt from that and not allow the Norwegian wingers, including their Blackburn Rovers left sided star Morten Gamst Pedersen, any room.
Modise could have a battle on his hands in midfield against Roma John Arne Riise, the former Liverpool star. — Sapa