The South Africa vs Ghana encounter will mark exactly a month since Spain and the Netherlands battled it out for the trophy in the World Cup final at the same venue. The Soccer City Stadium is a temple where African contingents failed to record a single victory during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For Ghana’s national football team and supporters as well as for a multitude of football followers around the world, the Soccer City Stadium will forever be remembered best for what happened on July 2 earlier this summer.
That was when it hosted the dramatic quarter-final fixture between Ghana and Uruguay where Luis Suarez’s handball, Asamoah Gyan’s last-second penalty miss, and La Celeste Olimpica’s triumph in the eventual penalty shoot-out cruelly killed Ghana’s dream of breaking Africa’s World Cup quarter-final curse in the history of the sport. On Wednesday, the Black Stars of Ghana (who earned even more respect following their remarkable 2010 World Cup campaign) will want to get back on track as they look forward to a bright future.
The country is already concentrating on the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament which Ghana are favorite to win at last after finishing third and second respectively in the two previous editions. Playing against South Africa seems to be an excellent decision for the Black Stars to test their football spirit. Bafana Bafana are more than 40 places below Ghana who currently occupy the 23rd position in the FIFA Coca Cola Rankings.
However, defeating the South Africans on Wednesday will certainly prove Ghana’s mental strength – more so because Bafana Bafana might put up a competitive performance since they are determined to lay a strong and new foundation after their disappointing World Cup first round exit.
For South Africa, meanwhile, coming up against Ghana should help them prepare ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign where they’ll have to face African champions Egypt. Ghana are widely regarded as the best team in Africa despite having last won the continental trophy more than 25 years ago.
The physical strength of players such as defender John Mensah or midfielders Kevin-Prince Boateng, Anthony Annan, and Andre Ayew incarnate the Black Stars’ admirable potential. As new South African coach Pitso Mosimane continues the country’s search for talented footballers, the players that will feature against Ghana will try to impress – not only to shock Ghana’s Black Stars or to keep their place in Coach Mosimane’s plans, but also to prepare ahead of what South Africa's manager calls ‘Vision 2014’ where the name of the promise land is Brazil.
LiveSoccerTV.com shares with you the list of both South Africa and Ghana’s man squad for Wednesday’s friendly match.
Ghana’s 18-man squad:
Richard Kingson, Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, Jonathan Mensah, John Mensah, Harrison Afful, Kwadwo Asamoah, Anthony Annan, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Andre Ayew, Bernard Kumordzie, Cofie Bekoe, Dominic Adiyiah, Asamoah Gyan, Haminu Dramani, Yaw Antwi.
• Note: Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien have both been omitted along with Stephen Appiah. Meanwhile Egypt-based player, Petrojet’s Cofie Bekoe, has earned his first call-up to Ghana’s national football squad.
South Africa’s 22-man squad:
Itumeleng Khune, Morgan Gould, Moeneeb Josephs, Siboniso Gaxa, Bevan Fransman, Tsepo Masilela, Siyabonga Sangweni, Aaron Mokoena, Innocent Mdledle, Anele Ngconca, Teko Modise, Daine Klate, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Macbeth Sibaya, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Thanduyise Khuboni, Steven Pienaar, Surprise Moriri, Katlego Mphela, Sthembiso Ngcobo, Bernard Parker.
• Note: Once again, controversial figure Benni McCarthy hasn’t been picked to represent his country just like he was left out by former boss Carlos Alberto Parreira from South Africa’s World Cup man squad. Aaron Mokoena has been restored as Bafana Bafana’s skipper while Daine Klate, new Kaizer Chiefs signing striker Sthembiso Ngcobo, and defender Bevan Fransman compose the mini list of surprise faces to play against Ghana.
LiveSoccerTV.com’s Prediction:
The game will end 2-1 in favor of Ghana’s Black Stars.
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