| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
SOUTH AFRICA  Josephs Ngcongca, Gould, Sangweni, MasilelaPienaar, Khuboni, Dikgacoi, Tshabalala Parker , Mphela | IVORY COAST  Barry Eboue, K.Toure, Bamba, Tiene Ya Konan, Zokora, Gervinho Y.Toure Doumbia,Kalou |
After the dramatic failure to secure their ticket for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa have an opportunity to make up for the heartache they caused to their fans when face Ivory Coast in the prestigious Nelson Mandela Challenge on Surtaday in Port Elizabeth. Bafana have assembled a fairly strong squad which sees the return of Bafana Bafana captain Steven Pienaar after a long injury layoff. The Tottenham Hotspur midfield magician last played for the national team in March this year in the 1-0 victory over Egypt in the 2012 Afcon qualifier played at the Ellis Park Stadium
Bafana will however miss their England based defender, Bongani Khumalo who pulled out of the squad due to an ankle injury. Mamelodi Sundowns defender Siyanda Xulu has been called up to replace the injured Reading defender.
The Elephants who will definitely be using this match to prepare for the 2012 Afcon have put together a strong 19-man squad which includes Arsenal’s new recruit Gervinho, the Toure brothers of Manchester City and Chelsea’s winger Salomon Kalou.
The notable absentee is skipper Didier Drogba who the Ivorians coach Francois Zahoui said he will be rested for the event following a recent surgery he undertook to remove screws inserted in a previous operation from his arm. Also out is the West Ham right back Guy Demel who was also sidelined, while Newcastle’s Cheick Tiote and the team’s master dribble Kader Keita of Al Saad were left out of the team.
| DID YOU KNOW |
- The Challenge is held annually to raise funds for the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, and this year South African Football Association (Safa) will donate a cheque of R1million (€92,000) to the fund.
- The Nelson Mandela Challenge was first played in 1994 and has been ever-present on the calendar except in 2001 when it had to be cancelled after Mexico withdrew at the last minute.
- This is the second time the tournament will be played in the birth province of the world statesman (Nelson Mandela) - under whose name this annual event is played.
- This will be the 17th edition of the Challenge which South Africa have won seven times, and lost on seven occasions, with two matches ending in a draw.
- This will be the fist time that Ivory Coast have been invited to play in this annual football spectacle.
- Going to this match Ivory Coast are currently ranked number one and South Africa are 49th on the Fifa rankings.
Prediction
Editor's Prediction
South Africa 2-2 Ivory Coast
