It was not clear whether it was a case of "Good Fortune" or bad fortune when Pitso Mosimane on Thursday announced a largely predictable squad for the key opening 2008 African Nations Cup qualifying game against the Congo at FNB Stadium next Saturday.
Included in the list of 19 players named by the Bafana caretaker coach was the experienced, if enigmatic Quinton Fortune, whose elusive non-appearances for the South African team because of injury or an assortment of other vague and mysterious reasons have earned him the nickname of "The Phantom."
But no sooner had Mosimane and Safa CEO Raymond Hack proclaimed at the squad announcement that "all the selected players are available" than an urgent message was received that Fortune had been injured in the English Premiership draw between Bolton Wanderers and Fulham on Wednesday night and replaced in the 65th minute.
"At this moment," reacted a visibly perplexed Mosimane, "I do not know the exact extent of the injury and whether it could affect Quinton's availability for the Congo game. But we will monitor the situation closely and take whatever appropriate steps are required."
Fortune apart, Mosimane has come up with a predictable list of players that includes the welcome return of Benni McCarthy and Macbeth Sibaya --both selected for the recent 1-0 friendly victory against Namibia, but eventually excused from participating in the game.
Mosimane made a point of stressing the importance to Bafana of McCarthy, who on Wednesday scored his first goal in the English Premiership for Blackburn Rovers in a 1-1 draw with Everton.
And the Bafana coach said he hoped to boost the squad further by adding former star Hans Vonk to the technical team as the goalkeeper coach.
Vonk has retired from international soccer, but recently joined Ajax Cape Town from Ajax Amsterdam to continue his career at club level.
"I will be contacting Ajax and Hans to see if he will be available to assist us," said Mosimane.
Players out of favour from the squad selected for the Namibian game are Mamelodi Sundowns' Josta Dladla and Kaizer Chiefs' Gert Schalkwyk, while Benoni United defender Tshepo Masilela, a likely nominal Bafana reserve, has been allowed to revert to the South African under-23 squad for the Olympic Games qualifying game against Namibia in Potchefstroom next Sunday.
At the same time, a significant return after injury to the Bafana squad is Orlando Pirates' mesmerising, but controversial midfielder, Benedict Vilakazi.
And, under the circumstances, Mosimane could hardly have selected a much stronger squad for a game that is designed to herald the dawn of a new Bafana era after the national team's miserable slump to 76th in the Fifa rankings.
Hack also confirmed at the announcment that Bafana coach-designate Carlos Alberto Parreira would attend the Congo match, but principally in the role of an observer.
The renowned former Brazilian national coach officially assumes his position as Bafana coach on January 1, 2007.
The Bafana Squad:
Goalkeepers: Calvin Marlin (Mamelodi Sundowns), Rowen Fernandez (Kaizer Chiefs).
Defenders: Ricardo Katza (SuperSport United), Nasief Morris (Panathinaikos), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers), Vuyo Mere (Mamelodi Sundowns), Cyril Nzama (Kaizer Chiefs), Bradley Carnell (Karlsruhe), Benson Mhlongo (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Midfielders: Steven Pienaar (Borrusia Dortmund), Siyabonga Nkosi (Kaizer Chiefs), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Quinton Fortune (Bolton Wanderers), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Dillon Sheppard (Mamelodi Sundowns), Benedict Vilakazi (Orlando Pirates).
Strikers: Benedict McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers), Glen Salmon (Groningen, Holland), Katleho Mashego (SuperSport United).
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