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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
| EQUATORIAL GUINEA  Ovono Bokung, Sipo, Rui, Edjogo Eyama, Konate, Doe, Viera Ekedo, Ekanga | SOUTH AFRICA  Mpontshane Arendse, Gould, Mathoho, Gaxa Claasen, Letsholonyane, Mahlangu, Lebese Nontshinga, Grobler |
After the dramatic failure to secure their ticket for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa is now looking to the future and aiming to move forward and improve with the 2013 Afcon and the 2014 World Cup in mind. Equatorial Guinea are set to co-host the Afcon this month, and they will be welcoming South Africa for a friendly on January 5 that is aimed at sharpening their skills ahead of the continental tournament.
Bafana Bafana have suffered a major blow ahead of their trip to Equatorial Guinea, as Orlando Pirates, Golden Arrows and Mamelodi Sundowns have withdrawn their players from the squad.
The players withdrawn from the Bafana squad include Wayne Sandilands, Katlego Mphela, Teko Modise, Themba Zwane, Thanduyise Khuboni, Siyabonga Sangweni, Andile Jali, Moeneeb Josephs, Daine Klate, Anele Ngcongca and Oupa Manyisa.
Pitso Mosimane announced during a press conference in Johannesburg that he will take a strong team to Equatorial Guinea, despite the absence of those key players.
Receiving his first call-up is Bidvest Wits midfielder Sibusiso Vilakazi, who has been in fine form for the Clever Boys this season. Goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo has also been given his first call-up.
Guinea Equatorial coach Henri Michel resigned from his post recently, citing poor conditions of work as the reason, but he did not give details of the situation surrounding the national team, with less than four weeks left before the Africa Cup of Nations was to be co-hosted by the central African nation.
The Nzalang Nacional is therefore in a difficult position ahead of the Afcon competition beginning on January 21, and they will be looking to this friendly to help prepare their side for their Group A matches against Libya, Senegal and Zambia.
| DID YOU KNOW |
- Equatorial Guinea will be making their Africa Cup of Nations debut when they host the 2012 edition later this month.
- South Africa have failed to qualify for the last two Afcon tournaments.
- Bafana did not progress past the group stages of the 2010 World Cup, which they hosted.
- Mosimane has given First Division goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo a call-up, after the withdrawal of Sandilands and Josephs.
- More than a dozen Spanish-born players are being prepared to play their international football in the former Spanish colony.
- Equatorial Guinea is nicknamed the Nzalang Nacional while South Africa is known as Bafana Bafana.
- Guinea Equatorial are pitted against Libya, Senegal and Zambia in Group A and will open the tournament against the Mediterranean Knights on January 21 in Bata.
