World Cup 2010

International Friendly Preview: South Africa - Jamaica

Bafana are determined to take another step on the long road to recovery when they face Jamaica in their final friendly international of 2009...

Nov 16, 2009 2:20:07 PM

Bafana fans - South Africa (Joburg.org.za)

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Bafana fans - South Africa (Joburg.org.za)

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Kick-Off: Tuesday, November 17, 20:30 (local time).
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Complete Overhaul

With the World Cup only 26 Football Fridays away, the South African FA’s decision to oust former coach Joel Santana and reappoint fellow Brazilian, Carlos Alberto Parreira, seems to be paying dividends already. The clock is ticking towards the big day - 11 June 2010 - and the host nation need to shape up now.

After the poor showing in their last outing under Santana, who lost half of the games in charge, questions are being asked regarding the team's readiness to face the world.

Parreira is expected make a complete midfield overhaul in the hope of turning things around. Teko Modise is struggling for form, as is Kagisho Dikgacoi, and Siphiwe Tshabalala has not looked as sharp as he has been for club Kaizer Chiefs.

Kermit Erasmus could start the game in attack ahead of Katlego Mphela in an effort to ensure McCarthy’s experience is shared amongst all the strikers.

Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Daine Klate and Elrio van Heerden, who came on against Japan, gave a good account of themselves when given a chance.

The return of the troubled Benni McCarthy to the Bafana squad has been hailed as the answer to questions that Mphela, Bernard Parker and Richard Henyekane have failed to answer.

McCarthy, who was dumped by Santana for the recent Confederations Cup, hasn’t been getting game time at club level. Parreira was quoted as saying that the former Porto man should leave Blackburn Rovers, as he clearly lacks the sharpness that shot him to stardom in the 1998 African Cup of Nations.

Already there are reports that the country’s all-time leading scorer could be joining skipper Aaron Mokoena at Portsmouth.

Nevertheless, fans in South Africa expect much of the 32-year-old.

Jamaica To Test Parreira’s Tactical Ability

The Reggae Boyz have been in blistering form lately, recording some fine wins. Their 25-man strong squad contains three Under-20 players who are looking to pull one over the 2010 hosts, including St. Georges Sports Club midfielder Romeo Parkes.

Jamaica have won three, drawn four and lost two of their nine internationals played in 2009. While the Reggae Boyz are not in the same class as the well disciplined, organised and fast attacking Japanese outfit, whom Bafana faced at the weekend, they will provide a good test for Parreira & Co.

Head coach Theodore Whitmore has shown bravery by leaving out two English Premier League players - Stoke City's Ricardo Fuller and Ricardo Gardner of Bolton Wanderers.

Jamaica will therefore lean heavily on their Norwegian-based players, especially Lillestrom defender Adrian Reid.

FORM GUIDE

South Africa

14 November: South Africa 0-0 Japan

13 October: Iceland 1-0 South Africa

10 October: Norway 1-0 South Africa

19 September: South Africa 1-0 Madagascar

8 September: Republic of Ireland 1-0 South Africa

Jamaica

19 November: Jamaica 3 - 0 Canada

15 October: Jamaica 1 - 0 Honduras

11 October: Jamaica 1 - 0 Mexico

10 September: Honduras 2 - 0 Jamaica

6 September: Mexico 3 - 0 Jamaica

TEAM NEWS

South Africa

Benni McCarthy is back in the side after being left out of the squad by former coach Santana. Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar is still absent from the squad because of a knee injury. Golden Arrows striker Richard Henyekane has been called as a replacement for Mabhuti Khenyeza, who arrived late for the training camp and was sent home. Siboniso Gaxa is out with an injury.

Possible Line-up: Josephs; Ngcongca, Gould, Masilela, Mokoena, Sibaya, Van Heerden, Klate, Letsholonyane, McCarthy, Erasmus.

Jamaica

Players like Bolton Wanderers captain Ricardo Gardner and Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller have not been called up. Also out is Norway-based Luton Shelton. Whitmore has included two wingers from the second tier of English football, London-born Jamal Campbell-Ryce of Barnsley and Jermaine Johnson from Sheffield Wednesday. Jamaica have been boosted by the late inclusion of defender Shavar Thomas to their squad.

Possible Line-up: Miller; Reid, Taylor, Thomas, Williams, Campbell-Ryce, Johnson, Morrison, Vernan, Cummings, Richards.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

South Africa

Benni McCarthy is back for the national side, and he has already promised to score goals. His ability is undoubted and he is the country’s all-time leading scorer.

Jamaica

Adrian Reid, who plays for Lillestrom, will be expected to use his 14-cap national team experience to thwart the robust McCarthy and the speedy Henyekane.

PREDICTION

If anything that we recently saw in the Bafana-Japan game is to go by, South Africa should have the upper hand as they often control games against teams who lack pace. A win for the home side is on the cards.

South Africa 2-1 Jamaica

Clyde Tlou, Goal.com

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