Group A contenders:
South Africa
Mexico
Uruguay
France
Route to the finals
As hosts of the 2010 World Cup, South Africa managed to avoid the nerve-racking route of qualification. However, they have seen competitive action over the past 12 months with the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup and the African Cup of Nations.
South Africa’s World Cup host status saw them qualify for the Confederations Cup, where they faced Spain, Iraq and New Zealand at the Group stage.
One win, a draw and a loss was enough to see them through, along with Spain, to the semi-finals, where they were beaten 1-0 by eventual tournament winners Brazil.
Their African Cup exploits at the start of this year, however, were not quite as successful. They failed to progress from the second qualifying round after two wins, one draw and three losses, and missed out on the finals in Angola.
Manager
Few managers have been able to hold onto the reins of the South African national team for long in recent years. Over the past decade, nine men have held the position, with none of them lasting more than two years.
However, the current incumbent, Carlos Alberto Parreira, has had two bites of the cherry. The Brazilian’s first tenure ran between 2007 and 2008 but came to an end because of personal reasons, but he returned to lead this year’s host nation in October 2009, following a disappointing stint by fellow countryman Joel Santana.
As a World Cup-winning coach with his native Brazil in 1994, Parreira certainly has the credentials to impress at the finals but he will need to draw on all his experience to ensure the Bafana boys progress from the Group Stage for the first time.
Player watch
Midfielder Steven Pienaar has been involved in the national team since 2002. Having now made 46 appearances he is a mainstay in the squad and is likely to provide a significant threat in the finals with his creative passing and industrious work-rate.
Having only netted four goals for the Toffees this season and only two international goals, his scoring touch is perhaps something he will hope to improve this summer.
Competition History
First appearance: 1998
No. of appearances (inc 2010): 3
Best result: Group Stage
Matches against England: 2
Squad
Goalkeepers |
|
|
1 |
Moneeb Josephs |
Orlando Pirates, RSA |
16 |
Itumeleng Khune |
Kaizer Chiefs, RSA |
22 |
Shu-Aib Walters |
Maritzburg United, RSA |
Defenders |
|
|
2 |
Siboniso Gaxa |
Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA |
3 |
Tsepo Masilela |
Maccabi Haifa, ISR |
4 |
Aaron Mokoena |
Portsmouth, ENG |
5 |
Anele Ngongca |
Racing Genk, BEL |
14 |
Matthew Booth |
Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA |
15 |
Lucas Thwala |
Orlando Pirates, RSA |
20 |
Bongani Khumalo |
Supersport United, RSA |
21 |
Siyabonga Sangweni |
Golden Arrows, RSA |
Midfielders |
|
|
6 |
MacBeth Sibaya |
Rubin Kazan, RUS |
7 |
Lance Davids |
Ajax Cape Town, RSA |
8 |
Siphiwe Tshabalala |
Kaizer Chiefs, RSA |
10 |
Steven Pienaar |
Everton, ENG |
11 |
Teko Modise |
Orlando Pirates, RSA |
12 |
Reneilwe Letsholonyane |
Kaizer Chiefs, RSA |
13 |
Kagisho Dikgacoi |
Fulham, ENG |
19 |
Surprise Moriri |
Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA |
23 |
Thanduyise Khuboni |
Golden Arrows, RSA |
Forwards |
|
|
9 |
Katlego Mphela |
Mamelodi Sundowns, RSA |
17 |
Bernard Parker |
FC Twente, NED |
18 |
Siyabonga Nomvethe |
Moroka Swallows, RSA |