The Bafana Bafana Thread

I was looking through the squad, and there are 13 uncapped players! While it is nice to expose new players to the national set up, I hope this experiment doesn't back fire.
 
This squad now looks to be way too inexperienced, as Chiefs have pulled their 3 players:

Safa has agreed with Kaizer Chiefs to release their three Bafana Bafana players from camp following a request from their club.

Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune and two midfielders Siphiwe Tshabalala and Reneilwe Letsholonyane were part of the 22-man squad that will play against Tanzania in an international friendly on Saturday in Dar-es-Salam.

Yesterday, Chiefs announced that they were withdrawing the three players from the Bafana squad as they have a crucial League match on May 21 against AmaZulu at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

If Chiefs win their game they stand a chance of winning the League should both Orlando Pirates and Ajax Cape Town lose their last League games.
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Kickoff

That leaves 19 players, with 98 caps between them.
 
Bafana beat Tanzania 1-0 this afternoon:

South Africa held out for a 1-0 win over hosts Tanzania in an international friendly at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday evening. Defender Siyabonga Sangweni scored the game’s only goal just before half-time.

After dominating the first-half and deservedly taking the lead, Bafana Bafana had to weather pressure from the Taifa Stars in the second stanza. Coach Pitso Mosimane will no doubt be pleased with the result, achieved with a shadow squad made up almost entirely of local players, and at handing ten players their first senior caps.

The visitors created their first scoring opportunity in the 14th minute. A corner kick from the left flank was completely missed by Tanzania goalkeeper Kaseja Juma and the ball landed at the feet of Siyabonga Sangweni, who strangely looked to pass back into the traffic in the middle of the penalty area rather than shoot at the unguarded goal.

Just past the half hour mark Bafana threatened again, creating two good scoring opportunities in the same move. First, Katlego Mphela provided a fantastic cross from the right flank that found the head of Myeni at the far post, but the youngster had overrun the ball and completely mistimed his effort.

Seconds later the ball arrived back with Myeni – he crossed to the middle of the box for the onrushing Bernard Parker, but the attacker sliced his attempted shot harmlessly off target. In between the two chances Bafana could have been awarded a penalty, as an Erwin Isaacs shot clearly struck the arm of a Taifa Stars defender, but the referee ignored the appeals for a spot kick.

South Africa certainly looked the likelier scorers and finally broke the deadlock just before the half time interval. Again Juma flapped at thin air from a corner kick on the left, but this time Sangweni squeezed home a diving header at the far post to make it 1-0.

The second half saw an improvement on the pedestrian pace of the first 45 minutes, with the hosts looking much livelier in attack. Lanky striker John Bocco saw a header flash agonisingly wide of the target in the 62nd minute, while Bafana centre-backs Morgan Gould and Sangweni were called upon much more often to keep the Taifa Stars’ attack at bay.

Sandilands had a quiet game for the most part, though he was called upon to make a good save in the 83rd minute, palming away an awkward, dipping long range drive from Salum Machaku as the Taifa Stars dialled up the pressure in the dying minutes of the game. The hosts did the get ball in the back of the net through Shaban Nditi a short while later, but he was ruled offside.

Bafana made five substitutions in the second half, handing debuts to Thabo Matlaba, Lehlohonolo Majoro, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Erick Mathoho and Prince Hlela.
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Kickoff

The game was far from pretty (the football and picture quality) but it is another win. While most of these players won't make the squad for Egypt, it has exposed them to international football, and may help to create some depth. Also, the game still gains Bafana points for the next FIFA rankings.
 
The 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification shedule for CAF teams has been announced:

The Confederation of African Football have unveiled a three-stage qualifying format for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The series will begin with a preliminary round involving the 24 lowest-ranked teams on the latest edition of the Fifa rankings, who will play a knockout tie on home and away basis.

The 12 qualifiers from this preliminary round will join the 28 teams on a bye for the second phase, which will be divided into ten groups of four each.

The top team from each of the 10 groups will qualify for the final play-off, and will play on home and away basis to determine the five slots.

In all, 154 matches will played between November 2011 and November 2013.

Fifty-two out of the 53 National Associations affiliated to CAF will take part in the qualifying series to determine the continent’s five slots for the next World Cup.

Dates Fixtures Observations Match Day

Stage 1: First Round* 24 bottom FIFA ranked teams*
11 Nov 2011 1stLeg Knock out FIFA D –MD1
15 Nov 2011 2ndLeg Knock out FIFA D –MD2
* 24 bottom FIFA ranked teams based on latest available Coca-Cola rankings

Stage 2: Group phase –10 groups of 4 teams**12 teams from Stage 1 + 28 teams
01-05 June 2012 Round 1 FIFA DD –MD3
08-12 June 2012 Round 2 FIFA DD –MD4
22-26 March 2013 Round 3 FIFA DD –MD5
07-11 June 2013 Round 4 FIFA DD –MD6
14-18 June 2013 Round 5 FIFA DD –MD7
06-10 Sept. 2013 Round 6 FIFA DD –MD8
** Top team of each group to qualify for final play off phase: 10 teams

Stage 3: Play-off phase –5 Home & Away10 teams –10 matches
11-15 Oct 2013 1stLeg Knock Out FIFA DD –MD9
15-19 Nov 2013 2ndLeg Knock Out FIFA DD –MD10
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Kickoff

For, SA that should mean that our qualifiers will begin in June 2012. As a top 10 CAF team (we are 5th and the draw is in July 2011) we should be seeded into one of the ten groups. That means that we 'should' avoid the big teams like Ghana, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cameroon and so on. However, this qualification formats leaves no margin for error. You need to win your group outright ( no 2nd place teams go through) and then you still need to play off against another group winner.
 
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cr@zydude said:
The 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification shedule for CAF teams has been announced:



Kickoff

For, SA that should mean that our qualifiers will begin in June 2012. As a top 10 CAF team (we are 5th and the draw is in July 2011) we should be seeded into one of the ten groups. That means that we 'should' avoid the big teams like Ghana, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cameroon and so on. However, this qualification formats leaves no margin for error. You need to qin your group outright ( no 2nd place teams go through) and then you still need to play off against another group winner.
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Fair IMO.
If you can't win your group in Africa you probably will not win a single game at the World Cup Finals.
 
JungleBoy said:
Fair IMO.
If you can't win your group in Africa you probably will not win a single game at the World Cup Finals.
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Yes and no. Most African teams are poor (lack of resources) and the big boys like SA should steamroll them. However, in general more games tends to get the 'best' teams to rise to the top. This format makes it possible for a 'small' team to sneak through.
 
Bafana keep moving up:

Johannesburg - The steady rise of South Africa on the monthly FIFA rankings continued Wednesday when they reached fourth place in Africa.
Ghana, Ivory Coast and reigning African champions Egypt retained the top three positions while South Africa and Nigeria swopped slots and resurgent Senegal climbed three spots to sixth.

Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Libya complete the top 10 in rankings that are becoming increasingly significant with seedings for national team competitions based on them.

South Africa are ranked 38 in the world -- their highest position since the calculation system was revamped five years ago by the Zurich-based world football governing body.

Bafana Bafana (The Boys) triumphed 1-0 in Tanzania last Saturday with a late first-half header from recalled defender Siyabonga Sangweni settling the Dar es Salaam friendly.

Coach Pitso Mosimane is proud that South Africa have risen 48 places since he succeeded Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira in mid-2010 after the World Cup hosts made a first round exit despite defeating France in their final game.

"When the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw is made on July 30 in Brazil the FIFA rankings released that month will determine which countries have first round byes," said Mosimane.

"The rankings are also used when allocating seeds for the second round draw and we want to be among the top ranked countries in Africa to avoid the possibility of being placed in a 'group of death'."

South Africa drew a very short straw in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers when placed in same pool as Nigeria and finished a distant second after losing to the 'Super Eagles' in Abuja and Port Elizabeth.

Although host nations are guaranteed to be among the 32 World Cup teams, Bafana Bafana had to take part because the fixtures doubled as eliminators for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola and they failed to qualify.

Senegal rose 11 places to 40 in the world -- the first time they have been among the top 50 since January 2009 -- as the team spirit created by coach Amara Traore continues to bear fruit.

The 'Teranga Lions' defeated Cameroon in a crucial Cup of Nations qualifier two months ago and are poised to make the 2012 tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea after missing the last two editions.
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Sport 24
 
Bafana's squad for the Egypt qualifier has been named:

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Mbongeni Mzimela

Defenders: Morgan Gould, Bevan Fransman, Mzivukile Tom, Tsepo Masilela, Siboniso Gaxa, Anele Ngconca, Siyabonga Sangweni, Happy Jele

Midfielders: Kagiso Dikgacoi, Hlompho Kekana, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Steven Pienaar, Thulani Serero, Andile Jali, Siphiwe Tshabalala, George Maluleka, Tlou Segolela

Strikers: Bernard Parker, Davide Somma, Katlego Mphela
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News24

As to be expected, 13 players dropped from the last squad. The team is a lot stronger, and Pitso gets to call on all PSL players, plus his 'foriegn legion'.
 
Going into tomorrow's match, Steven Pienaar is the only injury concern. The SABC have confirmed that they have bought the rights to the match, and it will be broadcast on SABC 1 at 8.30pm.

For a laugh, this is from a CAF report with 'Bafana player's' names:
South Africa played a friendly in which they have defeated Tanzania 1-0 using only local based squad with 10 players having their debut. Bafana Bafana coach recalled Stephen Pienaar and Kathlego M’phela to his squad list that included also Ethumlueng Khone, Wayne Sandlies, Mbongi Masimila, Morgan Gould, Bivan Francman, Masilela Masilela, Siboniso Gaxa, Tom Mphikele, Siabonga, Said Jili, Kagishu Bloemfontein, Solan Sirero, Andil Gali, Siphwe Tshabalala, George Malulika, Bernard Parker, David Suma and Sigolila Tlo.
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Well done CAF!
 
Good draw away from home. It looks like Bafana are home and dry. All they need now is a home win against Sierra Leone.
 
Bafana managed a nil all draw with Egypt last night. It wasn't a great performance, but a draw in Egypt should be consired as a job done. The defense was strong, and the players had to put up with laser beams in their faces too. It would have been great if Mphela or Segolela could have put away their chances, but I'm glad with an away draw.

Johannesburg - Siphiwe Tshabalala captained Bafana Bafana to a well-earned 0-0 draw in their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Egypt at the Military Academy Stadium in Egypt on Sunday .

The draw places Bafana on top of the group with eight points after four matches, requiring one win in the remaining two fixtures to ensure qualification into the Africa Cup of Nations.

They will play Niger away in September and host Sierra Leone in October.

Captaining the team in injured Steven Pienaar's absence, Tshabalala led his side from the front against an unpredictable Egyptian side.

The encounter was marred by the home crowd shining green lazers in the South African players' faces each time they were awarded a set-piece.

Authorities were unable to find the perpetrators and the lazer-pointing continued until the final whistle. The Egyptians applied early pressure as Bafana struggled to hang onto the ball. Bafana defended much of the early encounters and in the 28th minute managed their first notable attempt from a set-piece.

In the visitors' first corner of the match, Siyabonga Sangweni found space on the far post but his close range header was well saved by Egyptian keeper Essam El Hadary.

On the half hour mark, Bafana clicked into gear and launched menacing attacks. Tshabalala's long range effort had El Hadary diving full stretch to keep the scores level in the 33rd minute.

Katlego Mphela spurned the opportunity of the half when he was left one on one with the keeper in the 36th minute. 'Killer' Mphela left the Egyptian defence trailing but his shot was straight at El Hadary who pulled off an easy save.

On the hour mark, Bafana keeper Itumeleng Khune pulled off a spectacular diving save to deny Pharaohs midfielder Ahmed Fathy's powerful shot from inside the box.

The home side regained their grip on the clash heading into the final half hour with waves of attack.

Khune was the standout player of the match for Bafana as he reeled off a number of fine saves and was instrumental in keeping his team level in a difficult fixture.

Despite the fourth official awarding seven minutes of injury time, the home side was unable to score.
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News24
 
Bafana's next match has been confirmed, they will play Burkina Faso on 10 August:

Bafana Bafana are set to face Burkina Faso in an friendly international in August as they prepare for their 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger the following month.

Pitso Mosimane’s side were due to face the Burkinabe in February, but the match never materialised and SAFA roped in Kenya at the last minute instead.

But Burkina Faso officials have now confirmed that they have been invited to South Africa on August 10 and will bring a strong squad on what is a Fifa match day.


Mosimane is keen to play the West African side as they are neighbours to Niger and should provide a similar style of opposition. If South Africa win their qualifier in Niamey on September 4, they could seal their place at the Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon if Sierra Leone don't take full points from Egypt.

Burkina Faso have been dominant in their Africa Cup of Nations Group F, where they have won three from three matches against Namibia (twice) and Gambia in the three-team pool.

The Stallions are coached by Portuguese Paulo Duarte and feature top players like Charles Kabore of Olympique Marseille, Jonathan Pitroipa of German giants Hamburg and Habib Bamogo of French club Nice.

Bafana Bafana have met the Burkinabe five times before with two wins, two draws and one defeat.
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http://www.kickoff.com/news/22370/bafana-bafana-set-to-face-burkina-faso-in-an-friendly-international.php
 
E News last night reported that SAFA have deiced on a new name for Bafana. They are supposed to be calling a press conference today. I say **** them, and Stanton Woodrush Limited. They can't stop me calling the team Bafana Bafana.
 
Stevie G said:
Banana Banana or Mampara Mampara will suit them nicely
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Aren't you just super smart!

Not even an idiot like this take away from how good I feel about SAFA right now. It seems like their is some intellenge at SAFA, as they have agreed to buy the class 25 trade mark from Stanton Woodrush, which means that they will own all the trade marks to the name. They will be paying R 5 million for his trade mark.
 
The South African football team have fallen nine positions in the latest FIFA world rankings.
After climbing to 38th place in May -- the team's highest ranking since 2004 -- Bafana Bafana fell to 47th in the rankings released on Monday.

Despite the drop, South Africa remain unbeaten this year, having won three of their four matches in 2011.

They have lost only one game since last year's Fifa World Cup, going down 1-0 to the United States in Cape Town in November.

World and European champions Spain stay top while Mexico jump 19 places to ninth.

Mexico’s CONCACAF Gold Cup victory has propelled them into the top 10 for the first time since July 2007.

Spain lead unchanged second-placed Netherlands while Germany are up one place to third and England up two places to fourth.

Brazil are down two to fifth while Argentina drop five places to 10th. World Cup semi-finalists Uruguay are another South American team to lose ground, falling 11 places to 18th.

However, the forthcoming Copa America will give all of the South American teams opportunity to gain points.
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Times Live

The drop is most likely due to a loss of old points, plus not playing enough matches. Many teams played freindlies after the March qualifiers, while we didn't. We also didn't orginise any off season friendlies. The big worrying factor is that if SA are not in the top 5 at the next ranking update, 27 July, then we won't be a seeded team at the 2014 WC qualifying draw. We risk ending up in a group with Ghana or the Ivory Coast, and only group winners advance to the play offs for a WC spot. We have no game until that date, so Bafana could be in trouble.
 
A few topics all in one post:

Zurich - Bafana Bafana have dropped two places to 49th in the latest rankings released by the world football's governing body FIFA.


Bafana Bafana, who are unbeaten in four matches this year, last faced Egypt in Cairo in June when they played to a goalless draw.

Their next fixture is a friendly international against Burkina Faso in Johannesburg on August 10.
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News24

Importantly Bafana stay in the top 10 in Africa, so we will be seeded in the World Cup qualifiers.

Tickets for the Burkina Faso match are also on sale: Computicket and priced between R50 and R200

SAFA also have a new CEO:

Former Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO Robin Petersen has this afternoon been named in a similar capacity by the South African Football Association (Safa).

Petersen replaces Pinky Lehoko, who served as interim CEO after the departure of Leslie Sedibe earlier this year.

Petersen, who succeeded Joe Ndlela as PSL CEO in 2001, has penned a three-year deal with Safa.

He will start his duties on August 1 and his return to football is seen as something of a surprise.

Petersen was PSL CEO at the time of the Ellis Park tragedy on 11 April, 2001, when 43 fans lost their lives in a stampede at the venue that had become overcrowded.

He had only just assumed the role, but the burden of the tragedy, and finger-pointing that took place afterwards, led to his resignation.
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Kickoff

Also, if a mod ever comes through here can you please take '2010' out of the title.
 
The new Bafana squad:

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Wayne Sandilands (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Anele Ngcongca (RKC Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni, Happy Jele (both Orlando Pirates), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Tebogo Langerman (SuperSport United), Siboniso Gaxa (Lierse FC, Belgium), Bongani Khumalo (Reading, England)

Midfielders: Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane (both Kaizer Chiefs), Steven Pienaar (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Andile Jali, Tlou Segolela (both Orlando Pirates), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, England), Hlompho Kekana (Bloemfontein Celtic), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows)

Strikers: Bernard Parker, Lehlohonolo Majoro (both Kaizer Chiefs), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland), Kermit Erasmus (SuperSport United)
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Kickoff
 
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