Bafana Bafana coach Joel Natalino Santana has announced his final 23-man squad that will represent South Africa at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. In selecting the team Santana says he observed the players over 21 days since camp started on 13 May 2009 – mainly focussing on their physical condition, technical and tactical awareness as well as on their medical and emotional condition.
“I decided to choose the 23 players who I believed had all those qualities, it was not an easy decision but because FIFA wants us to register 23 players, the decision had to be taken,” said Santana.
The Bafana Bafana mentor continued to say he initially chose 30 players because the South African season ended early in May – too close to the tournament – and he had to take into consideration that some players might pick up injuries, while others may be out of shape.
Explaining his philosophy in making his final choice, Santana says he tried to put two players per position except in the goalkeeping department where he has three goalkeepers.
“I hope that those in the team will now focus hundred percent, what is left for me is to try to find the best eleven to face Iraq and we will use the match against Poland on Saturday to find the combinations as we continue to prepare the team,” says Santana.
As for those who missed out, Santana said the door is not closed for them, adding that they are still in his plans for the Confederations Cup. “I have told them that if any replacement is needed they could be back in the team but in the meantime they must continue training by themselves and also prepare for the future,”.
On Sunday 14 June 2009, South Africa face Iraq in the opening match of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup at the Ellis Park Stadium. They will also face New Zealand and Spain in their group.
Here is the final 23-man squad for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Squad:
Player Name Team Caps D.O.B . BALOYI Brian Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. (SA) 24 16-03-74 BOOTH Matthew Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. (SA) 19 14-03-77 DAVIDS Lance Supersport United F.C. (SA) 16 11-04-85 DIKGACOI Kagisho Golden Arrows F.C (SA) 20 28-11-84 FANTENI Thembinkosi Maccabi Haifa (Israel) 17 02-02-78 FERNANDEZ Rowen Arminia Bielefeld F.C. (Germany) 19 28-02-78 GAXA Siboniso Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. (SA) 19 06-04-84 GOULD Morgan Supersport United F.C. (SA) 2 23-03-83 KHUMALO Bongani Supersport United F.C. (SA) 5 06-01-87 KHUNE Itumeleng Kaizer Chiefs F.C. (SA) 13 20-06-87 MASHEGO Katlego Orlando Pirates F.C. (SA) 8 18-05-82 MASILELA Tsepo Maccabi Haifa (Israel) 19 05-05-85 MDLEDLE Innocent Orlando Pirates F.C. (SA) 6 11-12-85 MHLONGO Benson Orlando Pirates F.C. (SA) 26 09-11-80 MODISE Teko Orlando Pirates F.C. (SA) 33 22-12-82 MOKOENA Aaron Portsmouths F.C. (England) 84 25-11-80 MOON Bryce Panathinaikos (Greece) 16 06-04-86 MPHELA Katlego Mamelodi Sundowns F.C. (SA) 12 29-11-84 PARKER Bernard Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) 14 16-03-86 PIENAAR Steven Everton F.C. (England) 38 17-03-82 SIBAYA MacBeth Rubin Kazan F.C. (Russia) 47 25.11.77 TSHABALALA Siphiwe Kaizer Chiefs F.C. (SA) 27 25-04-84 VAN HEERDEN Elrio Blackburn Rovers F.C. (England) 29 11-07-83
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