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Igesund names balanced team for Spain

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Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has announced a very young and exciting squad of 23 players to take on World and European champions Spain in an international friendly match scheduled for Tuesday, 19 November 2013.

Dubbed “The Champions are Coming,” the historic clash will take place at the home of South African football, FNB Stadium in Nasrec near Soweto.

Kick-off is at 21h00.

Igesund has selected a mixture of youth and experience, with an average age of 24 years.

He has named nine players based overseas, with the rest based locally.

“I am very excited about the squad and I hope the whole country is excited too. The squad you see today is a true reflection of the type of players we are looking for going forward to the 2015 and 2017 AFCON tournaments in Morocco and Libya respectively, as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia,” said Igesund.

“You have to get the balance right and it hasn’t been easy because there have been some ambassadors of this country over the last few years who are now slowly coming to the end of their international careers, making way for up and coming youngsters. They have played a huge role and will still do so for a while because we cannot just throw in the youngsters – they need guidance from these experienced players. I am also happy that these youngsters are gradually coming through.”

The Bafana Bafana mentor added that they are excited, as the whole country is, that they landed an opponent of Spain’s calibre.

“It is always a pleasure and a great thrill for any player to play against the best in the world. There is no doubt in my mind that they are best team in the world. They are the reigning World and European Champions, and for us to be playing against them is a great boost for the country as it will give us a good idea of where we are, but I am confident that we will be competitive on the night,” added Igesund.

“I also know the fans can go out in numbers and get their tickets to be part of this great spectacle. Let us have a great atmosphere at FNB and give Spain the respect they deserve as the World Champions by filling up the venue, we will do our part by being competitive. As a football fan this is one match I would not want to miss.”

The squad goes into camp on Saturday, 16 November.

Tickets for this spectacle are already on sale at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers stores countrywide.

They are R50 for the top tier; R200 for the middle tier and R100 for the bottom tier.

There are also suite ticket packages available for R895 and R1650.

BAFANA BAFANA vs SPAIN 
NO.PLAYER'S NAMECLUB 
GOALKEEPERS: 
1Itumeleng KHUNE (C) Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) 
2Senzo MEYIWA Orlando Pirates FC (SA) 
 DEFENDERS:  
3Thabo NTHETE Bloemfontein Celtic FC (SA) 
4Bongani KHUMALO Doncaster Rovers FC (Eng) 
5Buhle MKHWANAZI Tuks FC (SA) 
6Siyanda XULU FC Rostov (Russia) 
7Anele NGCONGCA Racing Genk FC (Belgium) 
8Tsepo MASILELAKaizer Chiefs FC (SA) 
9Thabo MATLABA Orlando Pirates FC (SA) 
    
MIDFIELDERS: 
10Dean FURMANDoncaster Rovers FC (Eng) 
11Kagisho DIKGACOI Crystal Palace FC (Eng) 
12Andile JALI Orlando Pirates FC (SA) 
13Daylon CLAASENLech Poznan FC (Poland)  
14Kamohelo MOKOTJOPEC Zwolle (Holland) 
15Bongani ZUNGUMamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) 
16Oupa MANYISAOrlando Pirates FC (SA) 
17Ayanda PATOSILokeren FC (Belgium) 
18Lerato CHABANGUMoroka Swallows FC (SA) 
19Siphiwe TSHABALALAKaizer Chiefs FC (SA) 
20Sibusiso VILAKAZIBidvest Wits FC (SA) 
STRIKERS: 
21Bernard PARKER Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) 
22Tokelo RANTIEBournemouth FC (Eng) 
23Kermit ERASMUSOrlando Pirates FC (SA) 
    
    
    

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