Santana announces Bafana team to face Norway and Iceland
01 October 2009
 The Senior Men's National Team coach Joel Santana today (01 October 09) announced a squad to play two friendly international matches against Norway and Iceland respectively. Bafana Bafana will take on Norway on Saturday (10 October) in Oslo and then face Iceland three days later on Tuesday (13 October) in Reykjavik. Addressing a media conference in Johannesburg this morning, Santana said the two matches are part of a programme to prepare a strong Bafana Bafana for the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.
Bafana Bafana's last match was a friendly international against Madagascar in Kimberly last month where the home side won one nil despite the playing conditions not suitable to the team's style of play.
The weather in Iceland is expected to hover around 0 degrees Celsius, and with the weather conditions deteriorating in Europe at this time of the year, Santana is optimistic that players will continue to demonstrate their passion and hunger for success.
The coach says the players have shown great character in the previous matches, adding that they are no longer intimidated by opponents like was the case in the past. “We are going to face Norway and Iceland in their own backyard under difficult conditions, but my players have to show character and fight for victories like we did against Madagascar in Kimberley. We had great support from the people of Kimberley but unfortunately we didn't play our best football because of the condition of the pitch. We played very hard with character and that's what I'm expecting in the coming matches against Norway and Iceland,” said Santana.
Newly elected SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani says the team has to perform to inspire the nation ahead of next year's 2010 FIFA World Cup, “We are the host country and it is absolutely important that we do well in the tournament. The players and the technical team must take advantage of these international friendly matches to prepare adequately, and to start winning so that the nation can be fully behind the team. The win against Madagascar must set the tone for all the upcoming Bafana Bafana matches, including the World Cup,” added Nematandani.
The team assembles on Tuesday, 06 October and departs on the same day in the evening.
They return to South Africa on Thursday, 15 October.
The full Bafana Bafana squad:
|
NO. |
PLAYER'S NAME |
CLUB |
|
1. |
BARON Emille (GK) |
Supersport United F.C. (SA) |
|
2. |
DIKGACOI Kagisho |
Fulham F.C. (England) |
|
3. |
FERNANDEZ Rowen (GK) |
Arminia Bielefeld F.C. (Germany) |
|
4. |
FRANSMAN Bevan |
Maccabi Netanya F.C. (Israel) |
|
5. |
GAXA Siboniso |
Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. (SA) |
|
6. |
GOULD Morgan |
Supersport United F.C. (SA) |
|
7. |
HENYEKANE Richard |
Golden Arrows F.C. (SA) |
|
8. |
JOSEPHS Moeneeb (GK) |
Orlando Pirates F.C. (SA) |
|
9. |
KHENYEZA Mabhudi |
Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. (SA) |
|
10. |
MASILELA Tsepo |
Maccabi Haifa F.C. (Israel) |
|
11. |
MHLONGO Benson |
Orlando Pirates F.C. (SA) |
|
12. |
MODISE Teko |
Orlando Pirates F.C. (SA) |
|
13. |
MOKOENA Aaron (CAPT) |
Portsmouth F.C. (England) |
|
14. |
NGCOBO Sthembiso |
Free State Stars F.C. |
|
15. |
NGCONGCA Anele |
KRC Genk F.C. (Belgium) |
|
16. |
MPHELA Katlego |
Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. (SA) |
|
17. |
PARKER Bernard |
FC Twente (Netherlands) |
|
18. |
PIENAAR Steven |
Everton F.C. (England) |
|
19. |
SANGWENI Siyabonga |
Golden Arrows F.C. (SA) |
|
20. |
SIBAYA Macbeth |
Rubin Kazan F.C. (Russia) |
|
21. |
THWALA Lucas |
Orlando Pirates F.C. (SA) |
|
22. |
TSHABALALA Siphiwe |
Kaizer Chiefs F.C. (SA) |
|
23. |
VAN HEERDEN Elrio |
Blackburn Rovers F.C. (England) |
ABSA Womens League Pre- Season Workshops
Dear Members
The South African Football Association in conjunction with the Sponsor has organized the Pre-Season Workshops for the ABSA Womens League 2009/10 Season.
| No |
Prov |
Venue |
Date |
Time |
| 01 |
WC |
Stellenbosch Hotel |
06 October 2009 |
12h30 |
| 02 |
EC |
East London - Garden Court Hotel |
07 October 2009 |
12h30 |
| 03 |
KZN |
P/Maritzburg - Imperial Protea Hotel |
08 October 2009 |
12h30 |
| 04 |
FS |
Bloemfontien - Southern Sun Hotel |
13 October 2009 |
12h30 |
| 05 |
NC |
Kimberly - Garden Court Hotel |
14 October 2009 |
12h30 |
| 06 |
NW |
Klerksdorp - Tusk Rio Hotel |
15 October 2009 |
12h30 |
| 07 |
MP |
Nelspruit - Emnotweni Sun Hotel |
20 October 2009 |
12h30 |
| 08 |
GP |
Johannesburg - SAFA House |
21 October 2009 |
12h30 |
| 09 |
LP |
Bela-Bela Aventura Forever Resort |
22 October 2009 |
12h30 |
|
