By Obakeng Maje

Johannesburg-South Africa will be facing Algeria for the third time on Saturday, 12 January 2013 in coach Gordon Igesund’s last competitive match before the AFCON kicks off next Saturday at the National Stadium just outside Soweto.

 

The clash takes place at Orlando Stadium in Soweto and kicks off at 20h15.

 

Algeria comes to South Africa with a high reputation. They are ranked 19th on the FIFA World Rankings compared to Bafana Bafana’s lowly 87 position.

 

The two sides have met twice before in Africa Cup of Nations clashes, South Africa winning the first one 2-1 in the quarter-finals at Soccer City in 1996 – the year Bafana Bafana hosted the competition and lifted the trophy. In the year 2000 they played to a 1-1 draw in Ghana.

 

Bafana Bafana completed their preparations on Friday, 11 January at the match venue, and have a clean bill of health with all the players available for selection.

 

“This match is a good exercise for us because the Algerians are very good, and ranked high above us so they will give a good test ahead of the tournament. A win will help us get the momentum of winning going, and the sooner we do that the better for the crowd to be behind us,” said Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund.

 

His words were echoed by captain Bongani Khumalo as well as most of the players:

 

“We don’t need any motivation for this match or for the tournament that begins in a week’s time. The players are all willing to sacrifice everything they have and do well for the country, so we are confident that we will get a positive result,” said Khumalo.

 

“The match against Algeria is very important to us as it is part of preparations for the AFCON, so we have to go for victory. There were some positives that we took from the clash against Norway and this will help us when we face Cape Verde because we want to go all the way in the tournament,” said midfielder Dean Furman who was rested in the 1-0 loss to Norway.

 

“We played well against Norway but did not convert our chances so that’s one of the areas we need to fix, but we are ready for AFCON,” said midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane.

 

SA v Algeria – head to head

 

27 January 1996Africa Nations Cup quarter-final

 

Soccer City, Johannesburg

 

SA won 2-1(Bafana: Mark Fish 72′, John “Shoes” Moshoeu 85′; Algeria: Lazizi 84′)

 

2 February 2000African Nations Cup finals Group B

 

Sports Stadium, Kumasi

 

1-1

 

(Bafana: Bartlett 2′; Algeria: Moussouni 52′)

 

AlgeriaGoalkeepers:Rais M’bohli, Azzedine Doukha, Cedric Si Mohamed

 

Defenders:

 

Rafik Halliche, Djamel Mesbah, Carl Medjani, Essaid Belkalem, Liassine Cadamuro, Faouzi Ghoulam, Ali Rial

 

Midfielders:Khaled Lemmouchia, Yacine Bezzaz, Hameur Bouazza, Medhi Lacen, Adlene Guedioura, Foued Kadir, Ryad Boudebouz, Mehdi Mostefa, Sofiane Feghouli, Saad Tedjar

 

Forwards:El Arbi Hillel Soudani, Islam Slimani, Mohamed Amine Aoudia

 

South Africa

 

Goalkeepers:Itumeleng Khune, Wayne Sandilands, Senzo Meyiwa

 

Defenders:Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela, Bongani Khumalo (C), Siyabonga Sangweni, Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Nthethe, Thabo Matlaba

 

Midfielders:Siphiwe Tshabalala, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Lerato Chabangu, Oupa Manyisa, Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu, Dean Furman, Thuso Phala

 

Forwards:Katlego Mphela, Bernard Parker, Tokelo Rantie, Lehlohonolo Majoro