Brazil

The five-times world champions trailed 2-0 at halftime to the hard-running Americans after goals by Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan.

Luis Fabiano pulled one back at the start of the second half and levelled after 74 minutes before captain Lucio headed the winner six minutes from time.

“When we went in at halftime we only heard about was how we were going to come back and we got that at first goal at an important time,” he told reporters.

“It was great that we managed it. It was very hard and we had to fight for it.

“Our first goal was crucial to keep our belief. We scored early enough so that we knew we had plenty of time maybe to go to extra time. Then we got the second one. After that kept the ball, we moved them from side to side, we kept our patience and we got the third.”

Gilberto said his side had not been surprised by the quality of the Americans, who looked down and out in the qualifying stages but reached the final after ending Spain’s 35-match unbeaten run in the semifinals.

“We didn’t expect to concede two goals or concede them in the way we did but we expected a very hard game,” he said.

“We watched the game against Spain and it was basically the same. They work very hard and defend very determinedly.”

Gilberto said the tournament was important to the team who have now won it three times.

“It’s not easy to get to a final and we know how hard we had to work to do that,” he said. “We also knew what we had to do in this game and winning for the national team still feels the same as the first time.”

Source: supersport.co.za

Daniel Alves

This semifinal against the hosts was heading for extra time until Alves, in an inspired move by coach Dunga, replaced Andre Santos and broke the stalemate with a curling free kick in the 88th minute.

Brazil face the United States in Sunday’s final with South Africa heading to Rustenburg for the third-place playoff with Spain.

South Africa were without suspended midfielder Macbeth Sibaya, his place taken by Siphiwe Tshabalala, while Brazil midfielder Luisao started for injured Juan.

The two adversaries made it into the last four in wildly contrasting ways – Brazil sauntering through as Group B leaders with maximum points, South Africa edging through on goal difference as Group A runners-up.

With President Jacob Zuma watching, about the only one of the 48 000 fans not blowing into a vuvuzela, South Africa made a promising start as they fought to make their first final since the 1996 African Nations Cup.

Against the run of play Itumelang Khune was forced into action to save a Ramires effort while shortly after his counterpart Julio Cesar was in full flight to cover a long-range effort from speedy defender Siboniso Gaxa.

South Africa were giving as good as they got as Brazil tried to work the ball repeatedly down the left flank using Inter Milan back Maicon as the key link.

On 21 minutes they should have scored only for Tshabalala’s header off a freekick to go high.

As the half hour beckoned the Kaizer Chiefs midfielder unleashed a carefully constructed 30-metre freekick with only Cesar’s palm preventing the hosts taking the lead.

Down at the other end Khune safely held onto Andre Santos’s volley.

Kaka produced his first bit of magic as he darted through the South African defence but the Real Madrid forward’s curving shot drifted wide of the far post.

Brazil were fortunate not to go into the break trailing as Steven Pienaar had Cesar beaten with his stinging 35-metre shot from the right but the status quo was upheld when the ball edged wide.

The holders were not at their brilliant best against a South African side that were scampering after every ball as if their lives depended on it.

On the hour, with Dunga looking on pensively, Teko Modise’s close-range shot deflected off Luisao before hitting the beaten Cesar’s right post in a period of domination from Joel Santana’s side.

With eight minutes left and as extra time loomed Dunga introduced Alves into the fray and the Barcelona defender repaid the confidence when he beat the Bafana Bafana wall with a thundering freekick two minutes from time.

South Africa: 16-Itumeleng Khune; 2-Siboniso Gaxa, 3-Tsepo Masilela, 4-Aaron Mokoena, 14-Matthew Booth; 5-Benson Mhlongo, 13-Kagisho Dikgacoi, 10-Steven Pienaar (11-Elrio van Heerden 90+3), 12-Teko Modise (21-Katlego Mashego 90+1), 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala (9-Katlego Mphela 90+1); 17-Bernard Parker.

Brazil: 1-Julio Cesar; 2-Maicon, 3-Lucio, 14-Luisao, 16-Andre Santos (13-Daniel Alves 82); 5-Felipe Melo, 8-Gilberto Silva, 18-Ramires, 10-Kaka; 9-Luis Fabiano (20-Kleberson 90+2), 11-Robinho.

Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

A first half strike from Villarreal’s Jozy Altidore and another 16 minutes from time by Fulham’s Clint Dempsey did the damage on Wednesday in what will go down as one of the biggest victories in US football history.

They also had a flawless performance by Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and a commendable defensive display to thank for earning them a shot at the trophy on Sunday against either Brazil or hosts South Africa.

“When you play Spain you certainly have to work very hard as a group to defend. We made a special point to close down Xavi as best we could to prevent his penetrative passes,” said Bradley.

“We felt strongly that when we got the ball we needed to be aggressive and have the confidence that we could keep the ball and move it.

“We did a very good job of sealing down the middle of the field. Our backline did very well. It was a team effort to just try and make sure our defending was good and look for moments to score.”

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque admitted his side were outfoxed.

“We faced a team that played with good energy, was good in attack and was fast. We were surprised. The entire team was very dangerous for us,” he said.

“We are in the world of sport and it was a strong rival and I cannot be unhappy with the effort made by the team. We did everything we could.”

It was a remarkable upset on a freezing night that not only ended Spain’s record of 15 consecutive wins but also prevented them from surpassing Brazil’s 35-match unbeaten run.

Spain will have to be content with going into the history books level with the South Americans after their first loss since November 15, 2006.

“For us it’s a big night, huge,” added Bradley.

“We’re excited to be in the final and when you’re there you have chance to win. The motivation will be very high.”

Spain had won all three previous encounters but the United States’ miracle run to the last four, qualifying on goals scored after finishing level with Italy on goal difference, showed they could not be understimated.

Spain had the first chance of the match but the US weren’t sitting back and Charlie Davies sent a spectacular bicycle kick flashing just wide.

With Dempsey firing a long range drive close soon after it was clear they meant business.

At the other end Cesc Fabregas sent a cross in from the left which Fernando Torres volleyed just past the post.

They combined superbly again shortly after with the Liverpool striker forcing a fine one-handed save from his Merseyside rival Howard.

But in a major shock the US took the lead on 27 minutes when the powerful Altidore muscled past Joan Capdevila and Carles Puyol with Iker Casillas unable to prevent his shot finding the back of the net.

It was only the third goal Spain had conceded in 16 games.

Spain were in trouble but bounced back with a hatful of chances with Torres and Sergio Ramos in the thick of the action only for heroic defending to deny them.

They went to the break losing 1-0 and in need of something special.

David Villa almost provided it soon after the restart when he let rip from just inside the box but Howard turned it round the post.

They threw all they had at the Americans but captain Carlos Bocanegra and his defensive partners held firm and against the run of play they scored a second.

LA Galaxy’s Landon Donovan sent a cross in from the right and errors by Gerald Pique and Ramos allowed Dempsey to hustle the ball over the line for a famous victory.

Brazil and South Africa play their semifinal on Thursday.

Teams

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol, 11-Joan Capdevila; 10-Cesc Fabregas (20-Santi Cazorla 68), 14-Xabi Alonso, 8-Xavi, 18-Albert Riera (22-Juan Mata 77); 7-David Villa, 9-Fernando Torres

US: 1-Tim Howard; 21-Jonathan Spector, 15-Jay DeMerit, 5-Oguchi Onyewu, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (2-Jonathan Bornstein 89); 8-Clint Dempsey, 12-Michael Bradley, 13-Ricardo Clark, 10-Landon Donovan; 9-Charlie Davies (22-Benny Feilhaber 69), 17-Jozy Altidore (4-Conor Casey 84)

Referee: Jorge Larrionda (Uruguay)

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

Brazil

Felipe Melo, Robinho and Maicon secured the three points that lift Dunga’s men to the top of Group B with Italy, in action against Egypt in Thursday’s other game, to come on Sunday.

“We played well but we want to play even better in the games ahead,” warned Manchester City striker Robinho.

“Against Egypt we didn’t play well in the second half but today we showed our real game,” added Kaka, while Dunga’s thoughts had already turned to Saturday’s final group game.

“When Brazil face Italy you never know what’s going to happen,” ventured the Brazil coach.

A downbeat USA coach Bob Bradley said: “We had a very nervous and pensive start and to go behind from a set piece early against Brazil made life tough for us.

“A red card for the second game in a row was very disappointing. The players were trying to push harder but in the end one made a rash challenge which punished the whole team.”

Dunga made four changes to the side that edged Egypt 4-3 in their opener, with defenders Daniel Alves, Juan and Kleber making way for Andre Santos, Maicon and Miranda and in midfield Ramires coming in for Elano.

On the US front, midfielders DaMarcus Beasley and Sacha Kljestan were called up by Bradley in place of Ricardo Clark, red-carded in the 3-1 loss to Italy, and Benny Feilhaber.

The clash of champions from the Americas was only seven minutes old when Brazil went ahead.

Maicon floated a perfectly weighted 35-yard free-kick into the box for Melo who out-jumped his marker, West Ham United defender Jonathan Spector, to head past Tim Howard.

Kaka then had what seemed like most of North America on his tail as he set sail for the US goal-line with the ball glued to his feet only for his dash towards Howard’s end to come to nothing as he shot into the side netting.

Down at the other end, US captain Landon Donovan, who scored the penalty against Italy, tapped a corner to Beasley but the Rangers midfielder quickly lost possession.

Brazil turned defence into attack in the blink of an eye, with newly-signed Benfica midfielder Ramires bursting through the heart of the US defence and outfoxing Spector before squaring for Robinho to sweep home.

To celebrate the former Real Madrid man, perhaps in a world first, cheekily ran over to the advertising hoarding to give a brief interview to a Brazilian television crew – a case of shoot first, answer questions later.

With the US almost in a daze from the Latin onslaught Dunga’s army attacked seemingly at will as Robinho again, Luis Fabiano and Kaka all took pot shots at Howard.

The US came out for the second period only to be subjected to more of the same with Howard forced to pull off a quick reflex save to tip a Kaka shot wide on 56 minutes.

Bradley’s men were finding the going tough but they made it even tougher 1when Kljestan was sent off for a reckless tackle on Ramires, leaving the CONCACAF Gold Cup winners a man down for the last half hour.

Maicon then got onto the scoresheet after a thrilling four-man move started and ended by the Inter Milan man, who charged in from the right and chipped the ball into the top-left corner via a slight deflection after a couple of subtle touches from Kaka and Ramires had set him free.

Kaka received a standing ovation from the near full Loftus Versfeld stadium when he was replaced by Julio Baptista.

Dunga also took off Luis Fabiano, who appeared annoyed as he had vowed to score a goal in every game here.

The US’s best chances came late on with Feilhaber hitting the underside of Julio Cesar’s crossbar and a Conor Casey header following suit.

Source: soccernews.com

Pic: supersport.co.za

Egypt

Mohamed Homos was their hero with his 40th minute header enough to hand them a famous victory in front of 51,000 fans, but they also had goalkeeper Essam al-Hadary to thank for pulling off a string of fine saves.

Egypt and Italy are now level on three points in Group B with the Pharoahs favourites to go through to the semi-finals.

They face the United States on Sunday while Italy must play Brazil, who have two wins out of two so far.

Egypt coach Hassan Shehata said before the game that African pride was at stake and his team was bubbling with confidence after pushing Brazil hard in their gallant 4-3 defeat on Monday.

The African Nations Cup champions’ made one change from that match and it was an inspired move, with Homos replacing 35-year-old captain Ahmed Hassan, the country’s most capped player.

Marcello Lippi welcomed back his captain Fabio Cannavaro, who missed their 3-1 win over the United States with a calf strain, as Nicolas Legrottaglie made way for the Real Madrid star.

There were two other changes with Fabio Quagliarella in for Mauro Camoranesi while Giuseppe Rossi, their two-goal hero from Monday, replaced Alberto Gilardino.

The game started quietly with AC Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta having Italy’s first shot on goal after seven minutes, but it was a feeble effort that didn’t trouble El Hadary.

Villarreal’s American-born striker Rossi let rip with a left foot rocket soon after only to see it flash over the bar as Italy pressed the attack.

But Egypt also had their moments, with Mohamed Aboutrika causing problems in the Italian box, going close after 15 minutes in his team’s best chance till then.

It was Italy, though, who looked more likely to score with Juventus man Vincenzo Iaquinta and Rossi both forcing saves from Al-Hadary within the space of a minute midway through the half.

Not to be outdone, Egypt responded with a sustained period of pressure that ended with the goal from Homos who rose to meet a corner from Aboutrika and head the ball past Gianluigi Buffon to rock Italy.

The Italians had also gone one down against the United States and fought back to win, and they began the second half with a sense of urgency.

They should have equalised when Iaquinta found himself unmarked in the box but his control was poor and Al-Hadary scrambled the ball clear.

Lippi brought Luca Toni on and took Rossi off but Italy couldn’t find the breakthrough with Al-Hadary solid as a rock in the Egyptian goal, pulling off save after save to keep his team in front.

Italy had one last chance as the seconds ticked down but AC Milan’s Andrea Pirlo sent his freekick sailing over the bar to end a miserable night for Italy and a memorable one for Egypt.

Source: soccernews.com

Pic: supersport.co.za

After their limp opening draw, Joel Santana’s ‘Bafana Bafana’ finally tapped into a rich seam of form with goals either side of half time from Bernard Parker.

This was sweet redemption for the Serbia-based striker for it was he who had inadvertently blocked Kagisho Dikgacoi’s goal-bound header against Iraq on Sunday.

The man of the match said: “I’d like to thank my coach who showed a lot of faith in me by starting me for this game. I liked the way we played, full of confidence.”

Santana added: “We had to win this game but we played well in defence, midfield moved well and they were fast in attack.”

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert was unhappy with his side’s showing.

“Some key players struggled to get going tonight. We’re still chasing that elusive point and that’ll be our priority on Saturday.”

The Rustenburg result in front of a near-capacity 40 000 crowd boosted the 2010 World Cup hosts’ prospects of qualifying for the semifinals as Group A runners-up behind Spain, who ensured their place in the last four earlier on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Iraq.

While the permutations are plenty, South Africa, with four points, will guarantee qualification if they get a draw on Saturday with Spain – by no means inconceivable if they repeat this level of performance – irrespective of how Iraq fare against New Zealand.

If they lose and the Iraqis beat New Zealand then it will come down to goal difference.

After their nervy curtain-raiser this was a far livelier South Africa and part of the reason for that was the return from injury of Everton playmaker Steven Pienaar.

The South Africans turned up at the stadium dancing and singing and the party mood spilled over onto the pitch as they ran rings round New Zealand for much of the game.

They had the ball in the back of the net in the 11th minute only for Thembinkosi Fanteni to be ruled offside.

Ten minutes later they were celebrating the real thing with Pienaar playing a key role in a neat three-man move.

In possession the Everton star scrambled round like a dervish fighting off New Zealanders from all angles before finding Parker who flicked the ball on to Tsepo Masilela waiting on the edge of the box.

Masilela then rounded a New Zealand defender before crossing to Parker who swerved a left-footed shot into the top right hand corner with the ball glancing Glenn Moss’s outstretched gloves on the way in.

Santana must have felt a million dollars but on the surface the Brazilian was a picture of composure, delicately removing his glasses and placing them in an inside pocket.

He had them out again on the half hour mark as he watched South Africa almost doubling their advantage only for Moss to employ his big toe to great effect to divert Fantani’s forceful right-footed shot to safety.

New Zealand could count themselves fortunate they weren’t going into the break on the wrong side of a more lopsided scoreline such was South Africa’s dominance.

Masilela was instrumental in goal number two as well as he beat off New Zealand defender Dave Mulligan to cross from the left for Parker to shoot high past Moss into the top far corner.

The rampant hosts thought they had a third in the 70th minute but Katlego Mashego, who had replaced Fanteni, was flagged for offside.

A flurry of substitutions, including Parker who got a standing ovation, followed.

South Africa could have tripled or quadrupled their advantage in the closing stages but for some sloppy finishing and some desperate defending by the hapless champions from Oceania whose sorry Confed Cup record now reads eight games with no return.

Teams

South Africa: 16-Itumeleng Khune; 2-Siboniso Gaxa, 3-Tsepo Masilela, 4-Aaron Mokoena, 14-Matthew Booth; 6-MacBeth Sibaya, 13-Kagisho Dikgacoi, 10-Steven Pienaar, 12-Teko Modise; 17-Bernard Parker (8-Siphiwe Tshabalala 81), 18-Thembinkosi Fanteni (21-Katlego Mashego 61).

New Zealand: 12-Glen Moss; 3-Tony Lochhead, 6-Ivan Vicelich, 18-Andy Boyens, 17-Dave Mulligan; 7-Simon Elliott, 8-Tim Brown (4-Duncan Oughton 55), 11-Leo Bertos (16-Chris James 66), 14-Jeremy Christie; 9-Shane Smeltz, 10-Chris Killen (20-Chris Wood 75).

Referee: Benito Archundia (Mexico).

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

Bafana squandered three gilt-edged chances in the space of five minutes late in the game, the worst in the 84th minute when midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi headed across goal after Iraqi keeper Mohamed Kassid had missed a cross.

The South African team showed some neat touches in midfield in which MacBeth Sibaya was outstanding but they over-elaborated while strikers Parker and Fanteni failed to hold the ball up with any regularity.

The match was watched by South African president Jacob Zuma, who welcomed the world to Africa at the end of a colourful pre-match opening ceremony.

Midfielder Macbeth Sibaya, who came close with a long range shot in the first half, said that confidence in the team remained high.

“We believe in ourselves.” said Sibaya, who plays for Russian champions Rubin Kazan and will be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season, said the players would lift each other ahead of the next game.

“We have to be united and pick each other up. The atmosphere in the dressing room was not bad, even though we failed to score a goal against the Iraqis,” he said. “We remain confident because we did not give them a chance. I am disappointed with the goalless draw, even a 1-1 would have been better.”

South Africa’s next match is against New Zealand on Wednesday in Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng stadium. The All Whites lost their opening game against Spain 5-0 in Sunday’s late game.

Joel Santana

Both Orlando Pirates midfield star Modise and Israel-based left-back Masilela did not play in Bafana‘s 1 – 0 win over Poland in their final warm-up friendly at Orlando Stadium on Saturday ahead of the Confederations Cup which kicks off on Sunday. Bafana face Iraq in the opening Group A clash at Ellis Park on Sunday at 4pm.

Pienaar limped off midway through the second half of the victory over Poland with a swollen ankle.

But Bafana manager Sipho Nkumane revealed on Sunday that all three players would be reporting fit for training on Monday morning.

“I have just seen Steven (Pienaar) and there is no problem,” said Nkumane. “He twisted his ankle against Poland but fortunately it is not serious and that is tremendous news for the squad.”

Nkumane confirmed that Santana had left both Modise and Masilela out of the line-up against Poland as a precaution.

“Both suffered niggling injuries last week. It was decided with our opening match in the Confederations Cup against Iraq on Sunday there was no point in taking risks. Both Masilela and Modise will be back in full training on Monday. So it is all good news from the camp.”

Nkumane also heaped praise on sports psychologist Henning Gericke who worked with the players before the match against Poland.

“Gericke is amazing,” he said. “After he spoke with the players on Friday night, there was a new self belief in them and it showed in the way we played and beat a top ranked side like Poland. The win over Poland (ranked 39th in the world) has really put the cherry on top and confidence is soaring. Now we are ready to go out and beat Iraq and set up a winning platform for our Confederations Cup campaign.”

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

What Coca-Cola have bought into and fallen in love with is Mkhize’s youthful vision for football and the brand. He thinks outside the box and instead of asking the question “why” Mkhize asks “why not?”The unusual decision to allow a student to direct the Coca-Cola 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup ad shows the company’s trust in the South African youth who are the countries future leaders and role models, and what they lack in experience they make up for with passion, drive and enthusiasm.

Twenty two year old Mkhize hails from Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu Natal and, when not in Gauteng at the film school he lives with his mother, father and four brothers ranging from 4 to 29 years old. He attended Maritzburg College where he matriculated with exemption in 2005. His love for theater and movies started when he was twelve after watching hours of movies on television. It was at this time that he shifted his focus on sport to concentrate on his cultural activities.

At the time football was his love. He played in the left wing position but only managed to play C team at school. However, his passion for football never died and he started his own football club, Kings United Football Club, in Maritzburg in 2005.  Since its inception the Club has come second in the loca SAFA League for three years in succession. Mhkize obtained colours in speech and drama, was a member of the school choir and in 2005, his final year at school, he won the Best Director award for his production of Asinamali, a play focusing on the South African struggle.

It is not often discussed  in his family, but his grandmother was in theatre in the 60′s  at a time when being a black actor in South Africa was a challenge. But through hard work and dedication she managed to reach the top and travelled the world. After matriculating Mkhize joined the FET College in Pietermaritzburg where he studied business management which he believes is very important for his future career.

“I believe the business skills that I have learned will go a long way in helping me become successful in the future. Just like any footballer, we earn money but we need to learn how to manage this.”Mkhize is currently completing his Bachelor of Motion Picture diploma at AFDA. His hobbies include reading, music, poetry and story telling. Another goal he has for his future is to write a novel.

Coca-Cola will be behind in his quest to produce the Coca-Cola FIFA Confederations Cup ad and will offer him all the guidance that he will need, including a commercials director that will lead him through the trickier aspects of big-time commercial production. He will also get support from Coca-Cola through their assets  which include soccer icons and  ambassadors. At some stage Mhkize in his quest to produce the  COPA Coca-Cola Football Stars tournaments, as, like Mkhize, the play7ers who compete in the competition are under 18 and Coca-Cola is giving them the same opportunity of turning dreams into reality – Mkhize will make movies while the players become professional footballers.

Mhkize was given two weeks to put the ad together which included casting for actors then three days of shooting. The 1st screening was across all television channels on 4 May. Follow Mfundo on twitter http://twitter.com/FundzMkhize

Record Bafana Bafana (The Boys) scorer McCarthy had been expected to get the nod from Brazil-born coach Joel Santana despite shunning recent friendlies against Norway and Portugal.

Blackburn Rovers striker McCarthy, scorer of 31 goals for South Africa, claimed he was injured despite being cleared to play by medical staff at the English Premiership strugglers.

Santana and various predecessors have treated McCarthy with kid gloves despite a controversial national team career since bursting into the limelight at the 1998 African Nations Cup.

McCarthy becomes available and unavailable for the national squad with alarmingly frequency, although the failure of South Africa to produce world-class strikers sometimes leaves coaches with no option but to pick him.

“I’m happy the coach has finally made this decision regarding McCarthy,” said Gordon Igesund, who has guided numerous big and small South African clubs to the Premiership title.

He told the Kickoff football magazine website: “This is a good lesson that there is no player bigger than the country and that everyone deserves the same treatment.

“I have reservations about some in the squad who do not deserve to be included as they have not been active for their clubs,” said the coach considered the best in South Africa never to guide Bafana Bafana.

“Richard Henyekane should have been included based on his form. He is the leading Premiership scorer and has been one of the best players at Golden Arrows this season.”

Henyekane scored as Arrows shocked league leaders SuperSport United 2-1 Wednesday and raised his goal haul to 18 this season, two more than Confederations Cup squad member Mabhuti Khenyeza of Ajax Cape Town.

Bafana Bafana open the two-week dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa against Asian champions Iraq on June 14 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and also face New Zealand and Spain in the first phase.

Domestic expectations are high with most football followers expecting at least a semi-finals place although South Africa were ranked 18th in Africa by world football governing body FIFA Wednesday.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rowen Fernandez (Armenia Bielefeld/GER), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates)

Defenders: Matthew Booth and Siboniso Gaxa (Sundowns), Morgan Gould and Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport Utd), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers/ENG, capt), Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos/GRE), Nasief Morris (Recreativo Heulva/ESP), Lucas Thwala (Pirates)

Midfielders: Innocent Mdledle, Benson Mhlongo and Teko Modise (Pirates), Lance Davids (SuperSport), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Elrio van Heerden (Club Brugge/BEL), Masilo Modubi (Westerlo/BEL), Surprise Moriri (Sundowns), Siyabonga Nkosi (Maccabi Netanya/ISR), Steven Pienaar (Everton/ENG), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan/RUS), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Chiefs)

Strikers: Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa/ISR), Mabhuti Khenyeza (Ajax Cape Town), Katlego Mashego (Pirates), Katlego Mphela (Sundowns), Bernard Parker (Red Star/SRB)

Note: Squad will be trimmed to 23 before June 14-28 tournament.

Source: soccernews.com

Pic: skysports.com