Parreira to join Bafana in Swaziland

Against medical and Safa advice to "take it easy" after being in hospital last week for complications related to a broken rib, Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will travel to Swaziland to oversee what could be a more tricky Cosafa Cup programme over the weekend than many imagine.

And while there is a possibility the worldly, experienced coach will not be on the bench to do the spade work for Saturday's game against Malawi, Parreira is a firm believer in the dictum that "no game should be taken for granted" - and he will want to make sure nothing goes wrong, no matter what his vantage point.


The Bafana coach has also emphasised that players from what is effectively a Bafana B squad who shine in the games against Malawi on Saturday and possibly Swaziland on Sunday could earn a call-up to join the "senior" complement of 19 who have already been named for the African Nations Cup qualifier against Chad in Durban on June 2.

In the first instance, however, Malawi have intimated their determination to upstage Bafana by selecting a near-full-strength squad, which includes a number of players from clubs in the Premier League.

And, should Bafana overcome the Malawi hurdle, the likelihood is that they will face equally determined opposition only 24 hours later.

The two-day Cosafa programme acts as a qualifying segment for the semi-finals, which will be made up of holders Zambia and the winners of three separate qualifying groups.

And after 10 years of competition, the warning signs are somewhat foreboding for Bafana - who have only won the annual competition once during this period.

The Bafana squad departed for Swaziland on Thursday afternoon under the tutelage of assistant coaches Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane, with Parreira due to join them in Mbabane on Friday.

Malawi to miss star players too

The South African technical team may have expressed fears that Malawi would choose their strongest squad possible for the looming Cosafa Castle Cup clash between the sides, but, if anything, they look more under-strength than Bafana's B side.

Without Essau Kanyenda and Russell Mwafulirwa, two of their most prolific strikers, the Flames will be relying mainly on their seven South Africa-based players to see them home at Somhlolo Stadium, Swaziland, on Saturday.

Peter Mponda, Robert Ngambi and Jimmy Zakazaka are some of the the players on whom Malawi coach Steven Constantine will place his faith, but, on paper, these players are not necessarily better than the uncapped youngsters who make up most of Carlos Parreira's squad.

While the Bafana coach may call on the experience of Moeneeb Josephs in goal, the Flames will have Swadick Sanudi, who plays for Mvela League club Dynamos. Also, few have heard of James Sangala, of Benoni United, and Allan Kamanga, the City Pillars player. So you'd have to say Parreira was correct in leaving out players such as Rowen Fernandez and Benedict Vilakazi for this regional tournament.

Malawi squad

Goalkeepers: Simeon Kapuza (Escom United), Swadick Sanudi (Dynamos, South Africa)

Defenders: Moses Chavula (Wanderers), Elvis Kafoteka (Escom United), Allan Kamanga (City Pillars, SA), Peter Mponda (Black Leopards, SA), Wisdom Ndlovu (Young Africans, Tanzania), James Sangala (Benoni United, SA)

Midfielders: Fundi Akidu (Big Bullets), Dave Banda (Red Lions), James Chilapondwa (Young Africans, Tanzania), Tawonga Chimodzi, Emmanuel Chipatala (both Silver Strikers), Joseph Kamwendo (Wanderers), Fischer Kondowe, Robert Ngambi (both Leopards, SA), Jacob Ngwira (Escom United)

Strikers: Noel Mkandawire, Chiukepo Msowoya (both Escom United), Sankhani Nyirenda (Eagle Beaks), Jimmy Zakazaka (Free State Stars, SA)

Big break for budding Blues

Johannesburg - Two budding Chelsea players, defender Jeffrey Ntuka and midfield Masilo Modubi, will get their big break this weekend.

The two SA Under-23 stars, who are on the books of the Blues of Chelsea but were loaned to Belgium club Westerlo this season, will play a big part of Bafana Bafana assistant coach Pitso Mosimane's plans for the Cosafa Cup in Swaziland.

Both are expected to start in the opening match against Malawi at the Somhlolo on Saturday.

Mosimane, aided by fellow assistant coach Jairo Leal, took charge of the team at their training session in bitterly cold weather at Sturrock Park on Tuesday.

Head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is recovering from a fractured rib and may not be fit to travel to Swaziland. He will consult his doctor before deciding whether to travel to the mountain kingdom to watch his players.

Mosimane said that despite taking what amounts to a development or Under-23 squad, he believed Bafana could win through to the semi-finals and the final.

Said Mosimane: "I am excited about the prospect of these youngsters playing for their country, some for the first time. We want to have a good look at both Ntuka and Modubi as we believe they have the potential to be part of the 2010 World Cup squad."

Mosimane added that he was aware Malawi were confident facing a second string Bafana line-up.

"I know that Malawi will send their best side out against us. That is good. My reasoning is that once a player puts on a Bafana jersey it is up to him to keep it. This is a fantastic chance for these youngsters to gain experience."

Mosimane said that the biggest problem he and Leal faced was getting the team to gel.

The winner goes through to the mini-final against either Swaziland or Mauritius on Sunday. Sunday's winner qualifies for the semi-finals in September.