South Africa World Cup Preview

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F SHAUN BARTLETT Q&A What are your earliest memories of watching the World Cup? I remember the 1986 World Cup, when it seemed all the best players in the world were at the same competition. As a kid growing up it was then always my dream to play in the World Cup, and thankfully that came true in 1998. Which of your teammates should people look out for at the finals? Sibusiso Zuma and Delron Buckley. They are both very good technically and are also quick. What stage do people back home expect you to reach? The people back home always expect a lot more than the players, and I think a lot are looking as far as the quarterfinals. Realistically, as a team we have not improved that much and we are only looking as far as the second round. If you don't win the World Cup, who will? I have always fancied France and believe they have been the most consistent and strongest team over the past few years. Is there too much money in football? I don't think there is too much money; it just depends where it is going. Fortunately, the players have been receiving a lot of it over the past few years. It has become such a big business that there will always be a lot of money.

How they line up

Coach Jomo Sono says South Africa will use quick breaks as the basis of their tactics for the World Cup. For several years now, Bafana Bafana have been able to more than hold their own in African competition with a never-ending set of fast wingers, particularly on the left-hand side. Nowadays, the bigger threat comes from the right in the form of the classy Sibusiso Zuma, who never tires of running at defenders.

Zuma was supposed to be the launchpad for all the attacks at the Mali Nations Cup, but had to spend a considerable amount of time covering the inexperienced right-back Mbulelo Mabizela.

Sono admits he is not a tactical genius and says he is, rather, a great believer in allowing players to "go out and express themselves." This is fine if you are playing in the mediocrity of the South African Premier League, but not good enough for the World Cup finals.

Previous coach Carlos Queiroz's cautious approach took much of the fizz out of the side, but they held their shape better than ever before.

In goal, South Africa have a colossus in Hans Vonk, the Dutch goalkeeper from Heerenveen who had the good fortune to be born in South Africa. Sono might also make him captain. Vonk has a more than able deputy in Andre Arendse, who has almost 50 caps.

The flat back four has been a touch wayward and made for many potential heart attacks among the Bafana Bafana supporters. Cyril Nzama or the newcomer Thabang Molefe are likely to come in on the right-hand side; Germany-based Bradley Carnell is the strongest player on the left and is also an asset going forward.

The two center-back roles remain a toss-up. First choices would be a fit Lucas Radebe and Mark Fish, but it is likely, rather, to be Pierre Issa and Aaron Mokoena. Jacob Lekgetho is a defensive option, having shown his quality in this season's UEFA Champions League with Lokomotiv Moscow.

The departure from the international arena of the aging John Moshoeu and Doctor Khumalo means there has been a problem finding some playmaking flair in the middle. Thabo Mngomeni has not proven to be the answer, and while Sono's favorite, MacBeth Sibaya, works hard and is a potential starter, his passing ability is far from great. Quinton Fortune is more certain to take the other central midfield role, with mercurial winger Delron Buckley on the left.

Zuma is a dead cert for the right-hand side. Indeed, he is the only player besides Vonk who can be sure, barring injury, of a place in the starting lineup against Paraguay on June 2.

Midfield backup is provided by speedy winger Helman Mkhalele and ball-winners Bennett Mnguni and Eric Tinkler.

Up front, Siyabonga Nomvete is likely to be partnered by Benni McCarthy, with current captain Shaun Bartlett losing his roster spot because of injury and a lack of match practice at Charlton. The strong Bradley August provides forward cover, but he lacks pace.

From World Soccer magazine.

 

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