Coach Mosimane decided to test some new players in this friendly, but we will still be able to see the likes of Mosisela, Pienaar, Tshabalala, Modise, Dikgacoi or Parker, very experienced players who also featured at the World Cup. Some new and promising faces were called, including Leeds’ striker Somma and Sundowns’ midfielder Matthew Pattison, one of the hottest players from the domestic league.
South Africa’s roster:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates).
Defenders: Morgan Gould (SuperSport), Siboniso Gaxa (Lierse, Belgium), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Anele Ngcongca (Genk, Belgium), Bevan Fransman (Hapoel Tel Aviv, Israel), Siyanda Xulu (Mamelodi Sundowns), Keegan Ritchie (Moroka Swallows).
Midfielders: Teko Modise (Pirates), Andile Jali (Pirates), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Chiefs), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Chiefs), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Thanduyise Khuboni (Arrows), Daylon Claasen (Lierse, Belgium), Matthew Pattison (Sundowns), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England).
Forwards: Sthembiso Ngcobo (Chiefs), Kermit Erasmus (SuperSport), Davide Somma (Leeds, England), Bernard Parker (Twente, Netherlands).
The yanks
USA will have to travel again to South Africa, few months after the World Cup, to play this friendly game. It is a long trip and more likely they will accuse the tiredness of the trip. The MLS play offs are on their way, same like the big European leagues, so coach Bradley decided to test some new players in this friendly and leave all the big guns at their clubs. Except gk Guzan, defenders Bornstein, Goodson and Spector, there are only players with maximum 10-12 call ups and 5 guys will make their NT debut.
USA’s roster:
Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Dominic Cervi (Celtic, Scotland).
Defenders: Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake), Eric Lichaj (Aston Villa, England), Clarence Goodson (Brøndby, Denmark), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA/Tigres, Mexico), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls), Gale Agbossoumonde (Miami FC/Sporting Braga, Portugal).
Midfielders: Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabæk, Norway), Alejandro Bedoya (Örebro, Sweden), Logan Pause (Chicago Fire).
Forwards: Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Teal Bunbury (Kansas City Wizards). Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls).
Home win
These two teams meet two times before, USA emerging victorious every time. Now, the date of the problem are changed, since USA will play with a very inexperienced squad, with a questionable quality. I believe South Africa has what it takes to win this and I will take them at some (still) great odds. Also, a secondary bet which is worth to be tried is the HT-FT option, since i believe the hosts will take the game into their hands early in the game and the lack of cohesion from the American squad should be punished sooner rather than later. Low stakes, since it`s a friendly game after all.
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Prediction:
Tip: 1/1 HT/FT
Odd: 4.60
Bookie: NordicBet
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