Idiot’s guide to Bafana Article By: Khaya Ndubane Most local football fans know the foreign stars better than their own South African players at the Football World Cup. So, with the tournament starting next week, and the Bafana Bafana squad confirmed, iafrica.com’s Khaya Ndubane gives us the lowdown on all the players. Ask a local fan about Fernando Torres, Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo and vital information, but mention Bafana players like Reneilwe Letsholonyanes, Anele Ngcongca or Shuaib Walters and you’re bound to be greeted with a blank stare they will run off stats, trivia and any other . Khune finally got his opportunity in the early stages of the 2007-08 season after the departure of number one goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez to German club Arminia Bielefeld. He was then called up to the Bafana Bafana squad for the 2008 African Nations Cup, but was not fielded until he made his international debut against Zimbabwe on March 11, 2008. Khune was the first-choice goalkeeper in South Africa’s squad at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup where he saved a penalty against Spanish star David Villa in the group stages. If you’re one of the latter, never fear, because Khaya’s handy guide to the Bafana squad will clear it all up for you! GOALKEEPERS: Itumeleng Khune: Touted as the Moeneeb Josephs: ‘Slim Kat’, as Moeneeb Josephs is known in football circles, made his professional debut for the now defunct Cape Town Spurs at the age of 17 in 1997. He then joined Ajax CT in 1999. Josephs was South Africa’s number one goalkeeper at the 2008 African Cup of Nations, replacing the injured Rowen Fernandez, but he failed to make the final squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Shuaib Walters: The surprise inclusion in the final squad for the World Cup, Shuaib Walters started his football career at amateur club Clyde Pinelands in Cape Town, before he moved to Vasco da Gama. It was at Vasco that Walters attracted the interest of Bloemfontein Celtic. However, after three seasons at Celtic, Walters was loaned out to Maritzburg United. The back-up Bafana goalkeeper is yet to make his debut for the national team. DEFENDERS: Aaron Mokoena: Skipper Aaron “Mbazo” or “The Axe” Mokoena, is the youngest ever player to have represented South Africa, having played in 1999 for the 2000 Summer Olympics qualifiers, and proceeding to become a worthy replacement for Lucas Radebe as captain of his country. He won his 100th cap against Guatemala on May 31, 2010, and celebrated by taking the field with jersey number 100. In January 2008, Mokoena captained the South African side in the African Nations Cup which was held in Ghana. Due to his impressive form in all three games he played in, it was reported that he would be a target for several European sides. But he decided to signed for Portsmouth from Blackburn Rovers instead. Matthew Booth: He made his debut for the South Africa senior team on 20 February 1999, against Botswana at the Cosafa Castle Cup. He plays regularly for the South Africa national team. Due to his height he is considered a vital cog in the Bafana team, particularly against opponents with tall players. He was also a participant at the 2000 Olympic Games. Siboniso Gaxa: Versatile right back Siboniso Gaxa played for the University of Port Elizabeth football team before he was snapped up by SuperSport United in 2002, where he stayed for six seasons. In 2008 transferred to Mamelodi Sundowns. Gaxa made his international debut in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde on June 4, 2005. He was part of South Africa’s squad at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup, 2006 African Cup of Nations and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Bongani Khumalo: Swaziland-born Bongani Khumalo is a product of the famous University of Pretoria football team. The lanky defender started his professional career in 2005. In 2007, he moved to SuperSport United, scoring crucial goals for United as set-piece threat. His exploits did not go unnoticed and he was drafted into the South African national team by former Bafana coach Joel Santana. Tsepo Masilela: Masilela was discovered by former Bafana Bafana coach Ted Dumitru. Such was his meteoric rise, he made his full international debut before he had even signed a professional contract, a first in South African football. In the same vein, after only one season in top-flight football in his homeland, he made the move to Israeli club Maccabi Haifa. Masilela has participated in the 2006 African Nations Cup, 2008 African Nations Cup and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Anele Ngcongca: Gugulethu-born Anele Ngcongca, who formerly played for Western Province United before moving to Belgium’s K.R.C. Genk, is another surprise inclusion in the final Bafana squad. But his utility skills must have played a part in coach Carlos Alberto Parreira’s mind as Ngcongca can play anywhere in defence and can be utilised as an anchorman as well. Siyabonga Sangweni: Siyabonga Sangweni started his professional career with Golden Arrows where he has since made 104 appearances for the KwaZulu-Natal outfit. He has over ten international appearances for Bafana Bafana. He scored his first international career in Bafana’s 1-1 draw with Bulgaria on 24 May 2010. Lucas Thwala: A product of the Orlando Pirates academy, made his debut for Pirates in 2004 and a year later he found himself in the Bafana colours after he was selected by former coach Stuart Baxter. He was Pirates’ top-scorer in the league last season despite playing at centre back. Thwala has one Bafana Bafana goal to his name. MIDFIELDERS: Surprise Moriri: Moriri started his professional career at Silver Stars, now known as Platinum Stars, in 2002. After two years at Stars, Moriri moved to Mamelodi Sundowns where his free-scoring skills led to him being voted the PSL Player of the Season in 2005/06 season. Moriri made his debut for Bafana Bafana in a friendly against Lesotho on 8 October 2003. He scored his first goal for South Africa in their 3-0 win over Chad in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Lance Davids: Lance Davids has featured for the South African team since 2004, but his inconsistent call-ups have seen him registering only 17 caps in five years. Davids was on the books of Germany’s TSV 1860 München before he moved to Djurgårdens IF. He had a tough time establishing himself as a regular starter at Djurgårdens at the beginning of the season, but as the season went on, Davids became a regular face in the Djurgården starting line-up. In early 2009, he signed as a free agent with South African champions SuperSport United on a short-term contract. He then decided to sign for Ajax Cape Town for the 2009/10 season. Kagisho Dikgacoi: Kagisho Dikgacoi began his career at local club Cardiff Spurs, before moving to Golden Arrows in 2005, as a little-known holding midfielder from lower league side Bloemfontein Young Tigers in 2005. At Arrows, he developed into one of the country’s best players and was subsequently awarded with the captain’s armband. In 2009, Dikgacoi joined Fulham in England after a successful trial at the club. He made his debut on 4 October, but was sent off in the 41st minute for slapping an opponent. Dikgacoi made his international debut on 27 May 2007, in a COSAFA Cup match against Mauritius. He scored his first two goals on 7 June 2008, in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Equatorial Guinea, which ended 4-0. He was part of Bafana Bafana’s 2008 African Nations Cup squad and was also a participant at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. Teko Modise: Spent most of his playing career in Limpopo playing for the now defunct Ria Stars and City Pillars, respectively, and is one of the key players in the South African squad for the World Cup. The 2008 and 2009 PSL Footballer of the Year, has been an instrumental player in many of Bafana Bafana’s international matches and South African coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will once again pin his hopes on the Orlando Pirates star. Modise first played for the South African team during the 2007 COSAFA Cup. He made his first appearance with the senior team on May 26, 2007 against Malawi. He was part of the South African squad that won the 2007 COSAFA Cup. Modise did not play for any of the age-group national teams in South Africa. In June 2009, he was awarded the Budweiser Man of the Match award in the opening game of the Confederations Cup against Iraq. Reneilwe Letsholonyane: Soweto-born Reneilwe Letsholonyane came from nowhere to become a Bafana Bafana regular under Carlos Alberto Parreira. The dreadlocked Kaizer Chiefs midfielder started his career at the now defunct PJ Stars before joining Jomo Cosmos in 2006. After playing 52 games for Cosmos, Letsholonyane was snapped up by Chiefs in 2008. It was in that same year that he was selected into the Bafana squad. Siphiwe Tshabalala: The speedy Bafana Bafana winger Siphiwe Tshabalala was brought into the national set-up by former Bafana Bafana coach Ted Dumitru when he was still just 20 years old, and was subsequently among the select group of players touted as South Africa’s ‘dream team’ for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Tshabalala’s first steps on the footballing ladder were taken in the Chiefs’ youth development system, before leaving to join Free State Stars, who were campaigning in the National First Division. He received his first national call-up just eight months into his professional football career. Tshabalala made two appearances during the 2006 African Cup of Nations. He also appeared for South Africa at the 2008 African Cup of Nations in Ghana and has been something of a revelation in the Bafana Bafana jersey. Thanduyise Khuboni: Another surprise inclusion in the squad, Thanduyise Khuboni came out of nowhere to earn not only a place in the Bafana Bafana squad for the World Cup, but also as a contender for the starting XI in Parreira’s team. Khuboni made his PSL debut for Golden Arrows in the 2006/07 season after transferring from lower league side Mabopane Young Masters. He was selected by Parreira on his return and the Brazilian seems fond of the Arrows anchorman. Steven Pienaar: Undoubtedly, South Africa’s star player at the World Cup, Steven Pienaar started his professional career at Ajax Cape Town before moving to Ajax Amsterdam at age 18. Pienaar was brought over to Holland in January 2001 but did not make his Eredivisie debut until 24 February 2002. He became a pivotal member of the Ajax team that won the Dutch League in 2002 and 2004. In January 2006, Pienaar joined German club Borussia Dortmund on a three-year contract from Ajax. However, he struggled at Dortmund and was never accepted by the players at the club. He then joined Everton on loan for 2007/08 and later signed a three-year contract from Dortmund for a reported £2 million fee. Pienaar made his international debut for South Africa in a 2-0 win against Turkey in 2002 and has since accumulated close to 50 caps and two goals. Macbeth Sibaya: Macbeth Sibaya started his professional career at Jomo Cosmos in 1999, where he played 59 matches for Jomo Sono’s team before he moved to Rosenborg in 2002. After only four matches for Rosenborg, Sibaya moved to Russia a year later to join Rubin Kazan and has been with the Russian champions ever since. Sibaya made his debut for Bafana Bafana eight years ago in a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malawi. He is a regular for the South Africa national football team and has 52 caps. Sibaya was also a participant at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. STRIKERS: Katlego Mphela: A product of Jomo Cosmos, Mphela played in France for RC Strasbourg and Stade Reims, both with limited success. After returning home he turned out for Supersport United and Mamelodi Sundowns. He finished the 2009/10 season with 17 goals in 30 games which made him the league’s top goal-scorer. Mphela scored a brace on his international debut against Mauritius on 26 February 2005. He has represented South Africa over 30 times, scoring many goals for his country. Mphela’s greatest moment came in the 2009 Confederations Cup third-place playoff against Spain. Coming on as a substitute, Mphela produced arguably the goal of the tournament with a free kick from 30 yards, sending the game into extra time. Siyabonga Nomvethe: The Moroka Swallows and former Kaizer Chiefs striker first played for South Africa in 1999 and became a first team player from 2001-2007. He played in 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring against Slovenia, and he also participated at the 2005 Gold Cup & 2006 African Cup Of Nations until he lost his place in the side. He was not picked for the 2008 Africa Cup Of Nations, nor the 2009 Confederations Cup. But in April 2010 he was selected to play against Korea DPR and Jamaica, scoring South Africa’s second goal in a 2-0 victory over Jamaica, his first in three years. He has currently scored 16 goals for South Africa. Bernard Parker: A product of the School of Excellence, Bernard Parker made his debut in the professional ranks for Benoni Premier United. He remained in Durban with Thanda Royal Zulu until early 2009 when he obtained a transfer to former World Club and European Cup Winners Red Star in Serbia. In July 2009 he signed with FC Twente. Parker’s call up to the senior national side in 2007 was said to be something of a gamble at the time, but he has since acquitted himself extremely well at international level. The Boksburg-born striker has wasted little time in proving himself a worthy heir to Benni McCarthy’s mantle at the sharp end of the Bafana Bafana attack, with the young front-man backing up his big talk with some gutsy performances. Source – iafrica.com 2010 World Cup Blog for the Fans
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who’s who in the new 23 men Bafana squad
