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Screensize: 640 x 480 800 x 600 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 UserName: Password: Format Mode: Basic  Help  Prompt  Format: Font Andale Mono Arial Arial Black Book Antiqua Century Gothic Comic Sans MS Courier New Georgia Impact Lucida Console Script MT Bold Stencil Tahoma Times New Roman Trebuchet MS Verdana   Size 1 2 3 4 5 6   Color Black Red Yellow Pink Green Orange Purple Blue Beige Brown Teal Navy Maroon LimeGreen Message: * HTML is OFF * Forum Code is ON Smilies [quote][i]Originally posted by Karl[/i] [br]Boyz tangle with SA Over 250 million TV viewers to see game IAN BURNETT, Observer staff reporter Wednesday, April 30, 2003 CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- The South African Football Association (SAFA) last night launched their official local bid to host the 2010 World Cup Finals with a posh banquet at the Civic Centre in the Mother City here, and from all accounts, their bid appeared convincing. Tonight, they hope that their beloved Bafana Bafana (The Boys The Boys in one of their 11 official languages) produce an equally convincing performance on the football pitch in front of a capacity 20,000 spectators, plus an additional 250 million viewers across the African continent, via SuperSport network, when they oppose Jamaica in a friendly international at the Athlone Stadium at 8:30 (1:30 pm local time). The SAFA is still smarting from its one-vote loss (12-11) to Germany for the rights to host the next World Cup Finals in 2006, when New Zealander and FIFA executive committee member, Charles Dempsey, controversially abstained from the final round of voting. However, this time around SAFA is confident that it has the best capacity and infrastructure to win the support of FIFA ahead of its five rivals, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia and Libya. Therefore, Bafana Bafana's performance on the pitch is seen as an important endorsement of their administration's bid. Today is D-day for the six candidates to formally confirm or withdraw their intention to bid for the tournament, hence South Africa's launch of their bid at their 'home of football', Athlone Stadium. Like Jamaica, who were invited to kick off Japan's 2006 World Cup campaign last October, South Africa have encountered the never-ending club-versus-country tug-o-war for players, and will not be fielding their strongest team. However, there was good news for coach, Shakes Mashaba yesterday as his star player, midfielder, Sibusiso Zuma, who plays in Denmark with FC Copenhagen, joined the squad of mostly local-based players. However, it was not certain if goalkeeper, Emile Baron of Lillestrom in Norway, also joined up with his team-mates. Another high-profile player, Quinton Fortune of Manchester United fame, was not released by Sir Alex Ferguson, and reports are that Quinton was said to have been 'injured', although he was seen making a telling contribution with a dribble from just inside his half to the edge of the penalty area before releasing Ruud van Nistelrooy for his goal in United's 2-0 triumph over Tottenham Hotspur on SuperSport network on Sunday. Mashaba was not amused, but neither was he overly bothered by Fortune's absence. 'I am not here to coach one player,' he told the media on Monday. 'I am here to coach a team of players, so as long as I have a team, I should be okay,' he added. Goalkeeper and possible captain, Brian Baloyi is the only surviving member of the team which drew 1-1 with Jamaica at the National Stadium in May 1999. His recollection of the Jamaicans in that game was 'very physical', but he warns that the Bafana Bafana are a much better group now. They will parade four veterans from last year's World Cup finals in Asia defender, Thabang Molefe along with midfielders, Zuma, Yebeho Mokoena and Macbeth Sibaya, who plays for Rubin Kazan in Russia. They are expected to play the 4-4-2 formation, and the strike force could be formed by any of Mabhudi Khanyela, having his second cap, Lesley Manyathela, who is the top goal getter in the local league with 17 strikes. If he arrives in time, Norway's Brann Bergen's Nkosinathi Nhleko is also a possibility up front. Meanwhile, though the Jamaicans are elated to be a part of South Africa's 2010 World Cup bid, what with a visit to their hotel by the minister of sport and recreation, Ngconde Balfour, CEO of South Africa's 2010 bid, Danny Jordan, and CONCACAF president, Austin 'Jack' Warner, they remain steadfast in their mission to the Southern African country. 'You have a beautiful country and we are proud to be a part of your World Cup 2010 bid festivities, but we are looking to spoil your party on the football pitch,' warned assistant coach, Peter Cargill. 'We are honoured to have been chosen for this auspicious occasion, but this match means more to us than just a festive occasion. We are building our team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament in the United States in July, so we are taking the match very seriously. 'Certain positions are up for grabs and we are looking at a few youngsters who'll be eager to impress,' he explained. 'Bafana Bafana are a good side and should be a genuine yardstick to establish how far we've come in recent months,' he added. Cargill was in charge of the team until the arrival of technical director, Carl Brown who, along with Tyrone Marshall of the LA Galaxy, Jermaine Johnson, of Bolton Wanderers, and team doctor, Glenton Smith, arrived in South Africa yesterday morning. Brown, after yesterday's brief training session, admitted to the Observer that the late withdrawals of three players had indeed hampered his plans. 'Those players, Frank Sinclair, Kevin Lisbie and Trevor Benjamin were in my starting plans, using a 4-4-2 formation,' he said. Now he is forced to utilise the 5-3-2 formation with Village United's goalkeeper, Donovan Ricketts between the sticks and for the first time with the responsibility of leading the team. He will have Claude Davis, backed by Damion Stewart, Tyrone Marshall, Michael Johnson and Gerald Neil guarding his net. In midfield, Fitzroy Simpson, Omar Daley and Jermaine Johnson will be relied on to feed passes through to the strikers, Paul Hall and Darren Byfield, of English First Division side, Rotherham, who makes his debut in the national colours. Aaron Lawrence, Oneil Dunn, Cornel Chin-Sue and Fabian Taylor will occupy a depleted bench. [/quote]   Check here to include your profile signature.