Enjoying the view from the top of Group G, South Africa will go into Saturday’s clash against bottom placed Egypt in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying game knowing that despite the political unrest that destabilized the team in the past few months, the Pharaohs are still a force to be reckoned with.
Now ranked 46th in the world and 9th in Africa, Bafana Bafana are slowing but surely reclaiming their pride and respect on the continent under the tutelage of coach Pitso Mosimane. The last time these two sides met was back in 2006 and Egypt came out 1-0 victors in a match played in London.
This is a different ball game all together, as Bafana are in terrific form and yet to concede a goal in the qualifiers while the Pharaohs are struggling to find their footing, which has seen them slip to 35th spot in the FIFA rankings.
Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane seems to have done his homework ahead to this titanic clash and he has indicated that they will not be taking the challenge of facing the Pharaohs lightly.
“We are playing at home and our main aim is to get three points. We should not underestimate our opponents because of the current standings on the table and the fact that their country has been unstable,” Mosimane said when he named his squad last week during a press conference.
Regaining lost pride
Suprisingly, Egypt are rock bottom of Group G without a single win, recovering from political instability and still licking their wounds after their disappointing 1-1 draw against minnows Niger. Now Egypt are faced with a stern test of character as an on form South Africa stands in their way.
The North Africans may have made stuttering start to their qualifying campaign, but their pedigree as seven-time winners of the AFCON – including the last three tournaments in 2006, 2008 and 2010, is not in question. This record makes them a formidable side who are not to be underestimated and the South African coach is fully aware of their opponents’ capabilities.
“In fact, they will be more dangerous as they believe this is the time to win and get their campaign back on track. Many think the Egyptian team has been idle; actually, they have been working hard at training. They have played six more matches than us in preparing for this clash, so we need to be extra careful in our approach,” Mosimane said.
This game has a great deal at stake as Egypt will be looking to defend their pride as well as earn maximum points to get their campaign right back in track. On the other hand Bafana will want to consolidate their top spot and inch closer to an AFCON appearance next year.
TEAM NEWS
South Africa
Mosimane has had some injury headaches to deal with, as left-back Mzivukile Tom was forced to withdraw from the squad, while the likes of Ruben Cloete (right groin), Siphiwe Tshabalala (right hamstring) and captain Steven Pienaar (bilateral groin injury) have also been struggling with knocks.
The left-back position has been the coach’s biggest worry after Tshepo Masilela and Tom were ruled out with injuries while Cloete is also struggling. This has seen the coach asking the right footed Siboniso Gaxa to fill the void in training and he is most likely to start in that position during the game.
However following the last training session in Rustenburg on Thursday morning, team doctor Ephraim Nematswerani has given the team a relatively clean bill of health.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Darren Keet (Bidvest Wits), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Wayne Sandilands (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Defenders: Ruben Cloete (Orlando Pirates), Siboniso Gaxa (Lierse, Belgium), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Bongani Khumalo (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows).
Midfielders: Daylon Claasen (Lierse, Belgium), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace, England), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Sifiso Myeni (Bidvest Wits), Steven Pienaar (Tottenham Hotspur, England), Tlou Segolela (Orlando Pirates), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs).
Forwards: Kermit Erasmus (SuperSport United), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Panserraikos, Greece), Thulani Serero (Ajax Cape Town), Davide Somma (Leeds United, England).
Egypt
Coach Shehata has been under fire for his inclusion of Borussia Dortmund forward Mohamed Zidan and Sunderland defender Ahmed Elmohamady in his 23-man squad.
Mohamed Zidan has reportedly just recovered from a broken rib, but he is set to spearhead Egypt’s attack after injuries ruled out Emad Meteb and Amr Zaki. Al Ahly forward Mohamed Nagy ‘Gedo’ was also included despite hurting his jaw in Al-Ahly’s 2-0 home victory over SuperSport United in the CAF Champions League match on Friday. The coach says criticism is something he has learned to live with.
“I’m used to being criticised and blamed. I’ve been through it all before. All it does is increase my determination, because I really am very confident in my players. They’ve always come good when called upon.” He told Fifa.com.
SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Essam El-Hadary (Al-Merreikh, Sudan), Abdel-Wahed El-Sayed (Zamalek), Mohamed Sobhy (Ismaily).
Defenders: Ahmed Fathi, Wael Gomaa, Sayed Moawad (all Al-Ahly), Ahmed Elmohamady (Sunderland, England), Ahmed Samir Farag (Ismaily), Mahmoud Fathallah (Zamalek), Mohamed Naguib (Ittihad El-Shorta).
Midfielders: Hosni Abd-Rabou, Amr El-Sulaya (both Ismaily), Mohamed Shawky, Hossam Ghaly, Mohamed Abou-Treika (all Al-Ahly), Ibrahim Salah, Mohamed Shikabala (both Zamalek), Walid Soliman (ENPPI).
Strikers: Mohamed Zidan (Borussia Dortmund, Germany), Ahmed Ali (Al-Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Al-Sayed Hamdy (Petrojet), Mohamed Gedo (Al-Ahly), Ahmed Belal (Smouha).
PREDICTION
This is going to a tough game with South Africa on form and Egypt looking to regain their pride. The head-to-head statistics show that two giants are tied on 4 wins each after 8 meetings, but home advantage could well work in favour of Bafana against a very vulnerable Pharaohs side.
South Africa 2-1 Egypt
