It's payback for Bafana
NEW Bafana Bafana vice-captain Siphiwe Tshabalala says revenge will be on their minds when they host the United States in the sold out Nelson Mandela Challenge in Cape Town tomorrow.
I also appeal to the nation not to put him under pressure. He should settle in first -Pitso Mosimane
Tshabalala also stressed that they were eager to win the match for the struggle icon and former president of the country.
The South Africans will want to erase embarrassing memories of their 4-0 drubbing by the Americans in the US Gold Cup in 2000. The Americans then came to the country and pipped Bafana in the Mandela Challenge. It remains to be seen how the hosts will fare against the new-look US side tomorrow.
Tshabalala, the first player to score at the historic 2010 World Cup, admitted it would not be a walk in the park against Bob Bradley's side.
"There is nothing like an easy match and certainly it is not going to be easy for us in Cape Town.
Though they will miss some of their senior players, they could be dangerous," said Tshabalala, who will deputise for Steven Pienaar and don the captain's armband in the absence of regular skipper Aaron Mokoena. "We have to win the match for Madiba.”
Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane said the match would afford his new recruit, Davide Somma, a chance to familiarise himself with the set-up in the national squad.
"I don't want to put Davide under pressure by expecting goals from him. I don’t expect him to (immediately) sort out my scoring problems" Mosimane said.
Somma, who signed a three-year contract extension at English second- tier club Leeds United two weeks ago, flew directly to Cape Town from England yesterday.
"I also appeal to the nation not to put him under pressure. He should settle in first," Mosimane said.
The 25-year-old spent about six years in Italy, which also makes him eligible to play for the Azzurri but he chose the country of his birth.
He also had an option to play for the Stars and Stripes of the US after spending time there.
With Katlego Mphela injured, Mosimane is likely to start with Somma. Bevan Fransman was the only foreign-based player yet to arrive in Cape Town yesterday.
"We are going for a win and the match has a bearing on the world rankings," Mosimane said.
Kickoff is at 9.15pm.
The national Under-23 side play Botswana in a curtain-raiser.
Bdoobs
Its what? I hope thats just not a metaphor. BB don't squat about payback, revange is for the hard not the softees. BB are sisis.Report Abuse
Zone14
Teko are u aware u loosing everthing u OUT OF FORM / Arnbard its going to Shabba.U Future CAPTAIN (SHABBA)
Though they will miss some of their senior players, they could be dangerous," said Tshabalala, who will deputise for Steven Pienaar and don the captain's armband in the absence of regular skipper Aaron Mokoena. "We have to win the match for Madiba.”
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Winner
Well, USA decided to bring a B-team. So, I don't expect a competetive game and I don't think I will watch it. I will ask Pitso to please rest Khune, Shabba, Yeye and Ngcobo. I hope Zimbabwe will also rest 'the Smiling Assassin' and 'the General'. We have a very important game on Saturday, please good people!Report Abuse
Bdoobs
@ nteboo rata mang??? Oh My Gosh, I wonder how u look. I just hope you'd make him better, because he sure can't make you look good.
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ZeusTroy
I have a great idea, they rest the whole team and put a B side in maybe we will win then..LOL, just joking; good luck BBReport Abuse
EKSE
just because team ya shaba ya dinyatsi won on saturday they make him a vice-captain. he cannot even lead his team ya dinyatsi , he is always replaced at his team because he cant handle 90min on the field, how the hell can he be a vice-captain for the nation, Tsepo Masilela would have been a better candidate@zone14
what the hell does this has to do with Teko, wa khenya boy. nxa
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little
@EKSEtake it easy bhakajuju,
we all know gore Tekoloshe Modise is out of de forms, evin Rudi Kroll know about it. actually every body including le dihopo di ya tseba gore he is not well fit to play for national team at the moment.
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