Vuvuzela South Africa

South Africa takes on Colombia this evening at Soccer city. Yes, Bafana Bafana vs Colombia is going put 70 000 people in the newly refurbished stadium and the rest of the nation glued to their television sets.

Kickoff is at 8.30 tonight, when the 34th-ranked nation in the world, Colombia takes on Bafana Bafana, who are now ranked 83 ( up seven places). But after their disciplined performance and great ball retention on Sunday against Bulgaria at the Orlando Stadium, that ended in a draw, (Bulgaria are ranked 39) The Boys feel that they are ready for Colombia in another international friendly to warm up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Colombia a Real Test for Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana midfielder Steven “Schillo” Pienaar believes the national team’s friendly against the higher ranked Columbia on Thursday comes at the right time!

The Everton player told the Siya crew that Columbia would be a real test for the national team as the World Cup approaches.

“They play more or less the same style as our first opponents in the World Cup, Mexico, as they are from the same region. We have to play well and win this one,” he said.

Will Pienaar Start for Bafana?

Pienaar added that he is ready to play tonight, as he has rested enough and he feels fresh and fit.

Parreira will have to decide whether to drop Teko Modise, Siphiwe Tshabalala or Surprise Moriri to accommodate Pienaar, while there is still no clarity on whether McCarthy will finally be handed a starting berth.

It doesn’t really matter where Parreira decides to use the nifty playmaker, because Stevie P has proved he can be effective in all the attacking areas of midfield.

As for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Pienaar is positive, “I rate our chances of doing well in the tournament very high, in fact I am very confident that we will go further than the second round. We are definitely ready to go because the confidence is there, the spirit is there and I believe we will do well. The team has been doing well and I have been following their progress since they started with the training camps – Durban, Brazil and Germany – because I am part and parcel of the team even though I was not there. As for me, I am hopeful that I will get a chance to play against Colombia.”

Coffee Growers are Prepared for Bafana Bafnana

According to kickoff.com, Mexico-based striker Jackson Martinez says the ‘Coffee Growers’ are fully aware that Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will be going all out tonight in view of the fact that the Colombians are the most experienced side the South Africans have faced in their preparations leading up to the World Cup. They will also not be intimidated by the vuvuzelas.

“They are expecting to see more speed, a higher level of technical play, particularly with the ball on the ground,” says the right-footed hitman.

Speaking in a reported published in Medellin, Martinez said coach Hernan Gomez will use goalkeeper David Ospina; Camilo Zúñiga, Cristian Zapata, Mario Yepes, Pablo Gunsmith; Freddy Guarín, Victor Ibarbo, Adrián Branches, Abel Aguilar, Giovanni Moreno and himself as the core of tonight’s squad.

Final 23 Man Squad to be Announced on June 1

The final 23-man squad for the World Cup will be announced publicly on June 1. Initially, the association had indicated it would be announced on May 31, but that was before Carlos Alberto Parreira requested another friendly. Bafana will play against Guatemala on May 31 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, hence the decision to announce the squad officially on June 1.

For more information about transport and parking for the Bafana Bafana vs Colombia match

Image: Soccer City: football365.com

Popularity: 9% [?]