Monday, November 14, 2011

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15.11. (Tue) 19:00 Zimbabwe - South Africa

South Africa Celebrate A Goal (Getty Images)

PROBABLE LINEUPS



SOUTH AFRICA


Sandilands
Jele, Gould, Bilankulu, MasenamelaModise, Maluleka, Scott, LebeseNontshinga, Grobler

ZIMBABWE


Kapini
Zvasiya, Sweswe, Mapemba, Nyoni
Billiat, Gutu, Nengomasha, Rusike
Mushekwi, Musona
Fresh from Saturday's 1-1 draw against Africa’s number one ranked team, Ivory Coast, in the Nelson Mandela Challenge, South Africa go into Tuesday’s friendly international against Zimbabwe knowing that their neighbours will be a determined opponent.

This will be the first time Bafana play a match on a synthetic turf at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare, where the Warriors will look to benefit from home advantage. Bafana aim to use this match to test new recruits as they build a pool of players for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Pitso Mosimane has opted to rest a number of senior players, and captain Steven Pienaar, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Siboniso Gaxa, Anele Ngcongca, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Tsepo Masilela and Siyabonga Sangweni were not included in the travelling party to Zimbabwe.

In the absence of the veterans, Mosimane is expected to give the Turkey-based striker Bradley Grobler, Kaizer Chiefs midfielder George Lebese and Ajax Cape Town's Granwald Scott their first caps. Also in line for a rare start is Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Wayne Sandilands, who has earned just one Bafana cap thus far.

Despite dropping captain Method Mwanjali from squad, Zimbabwe coach Norman Mapeza has assembled a strong 20-man squad which includes 14 foreign-based players. The squad for the Harare clash is made up of 11 footballers who are based in South Africa’s PSL, and three from European clubs.

Mwanjali's axing comes after he was blamed for errors which cost Zimbabwe a ticket to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations as they went down 2-1 to minnows Cape Verde Islands last month. Coach Mapeza however recalled midfielder Ramson Zhuwawo and left-back Zhaimu Jambo.
DID YOU KNOW

  • Since 1992, South Africa and Zimbabwe have met 11 times, with Bafana claiming six victories, the Warriors winning four times, and one match being drawn.
  • Zimbabwe's biggest win over their neighbours was back in 1992 when the Warriors triumphed 4-1.
  • On 9 July 2000 when the two sides played at the National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe, 13 people died in a stampede at the venue after police fired tear-gas at the crowd in a bid to quell disturbances during the World Cup qualifying match.
  • The last time the two teams met in a friendly match was back in 2010 when South Africa walloped the Warriors 3-0 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
  • The Zimbabwean squad for the Harare clash is made up of 11 players from South Africa’s Premier Soccer League, four of which play for giants Kaizer Chiefs.

Prediction
Editor's Prediction 
Zimbabwe 1-1 South Africa