South Africa as the host country automatically qualified to the FIFA World Cup 2010. Read on to know more on the South African team for the FIFA World Cup 2010.
Football » 2010 FIFA World Cup Teams » South Africa Team for 2010 World Cup
South Africa Team for 2010 World Cup
South Africa have never really been a prominent team in the history of world football, but that’s all about to change with the commencement of the FIFA World Cup 2010. The South African National Football Team by virtue of the country’s role as hosts have been given a shot at stardom. However, this does not mean that the team does not deserve to compete in the world’s most anticipated sporting event. Their dauntless performances at the FIFA Confederations Cup last June have not gone unnoticed. The team almost managed to send Brazil packing in the semi-finals and posed as a sizeable threat to Spain’s win in the third place play-off. This goes to show that the South African team has its fair share of talent and when given the opportunity can explode in the face of the opposition. The fans of the team are peaking at the heights of optimism and believe that their team possesses what it takes to put up a gallant fight for the Cup. The other participating teams are not willing to take the South Africans too lightly and are very well aware of their on-field capabilities.
South Africa’s biggest claim to fame is their maiden win at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 1996. They defeated Tunisia at Soccer City in Johannesburg to lift the Cup. This feat was pulled off four years after their readmission to international football. More than a decade from then, the South Africans will resurface at the same venue and will attempt to achieve what is seemingly impossible.
"We are all aware that it is a huge honour to play in a World Cup on home soil; not many players have had such a privilege. We are also aware of the task that lies ahead. For us, the World Cup is our priority, it's our biggest goal. We need to represent our country with pride," said Aaron Mokoena, South Africa’s Captain. The torch has been handed over to the present South African National Football Team’, can they capitalize or will they capsize into an ocean of defeat? That remains to be seen.
South African Team for FIFA World Cup 2010
The Pre-World Cup list of players for South Africa is given below.
Players |
Positions |
Rowen Fernandez |
Goalkeeper |
Shu Aib Walters |
Goalkeeper |
Itumeleng Khune |
Goalkeeper |
Moeneeb Josephs |
Goalkeeper |
Aaron Mokoena |
Defensive midfielder, Centre midfielder, Centre back (Captain) |
Bryce Moon |
Right winger, Right back |
Tsepo Masilela |
Left back / Left wingback |
Bevan Fransman |
Central defender/Defensive midfielder |
Anele Ngcongca |
Defender, Midfielder |
Matthew Booth |
Centre back |
Siboniso Gaxa |
Right back, Right wingback |
Innocent Mdledle |
Left back |
Bongani Khumalo |
Central defender |
Siyabonga Sangweni |
Central defender, Right back |
Lucas Thwala |
Winger, Attacking midfielder |
Steven Pienaar |
Midfielder |
MacBeth Sibaya |
Left winger, Right winger |
Franklin Cale |
Left winger, Right winger |
Surprise Moriri |
Attacking midfielder, Second striker |
Kagisho Dikgacoi |
Defensive midfielder, Central midfielder |
Lance Davids |
Defensive midfielder, Right back |
Teko Modise |
Winger |
Andile Jali |
Defensive midfielder, Central midfielder |
Thanduyise Khuboni |
Defensive midfielder |
Reneilwe Letsholonyane |
Central midfielder |
Benni McCarthy |
Winger |
Bernard Parker |
Forward, Midfielder |
Katlego Mphela |
Striker |
Siyabonga Nomvethe |
Striker, Attacking midfielder, Winger |
Date - Time | Venue | Detail |
Results | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
11-June 16:00 | Johannesburg - JSC | South Africa | vs | Mexico | Draw 1-1 | ||
16-June 20:30 | Tshwane/Pretoria | South Africa | vs | Uruguay | Uruguay won by 3-0 | ||
22-June 16:00 | Mangaung / Bloemfontein | South Africa | vs | France | South Africa won by 2-1 |