Bafana Bafana assistant coach Pitso Mosimane, termed Mexico - who meet the home nation in the opening Group A World Cup clash at a sold out Soccer City on Friday afternoon — as dangerous "risk takers".The Bafana technical team, including Mosimane, fellow assistant coach Jairo Leal and head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, have created a near miracle resurrecting what looked a down and out Bafana in just seven short months since Parreira took change last November.
But the home side face the reigning Concacaf (central and north) American champions who boast awesome fire power and are ranked the 17th best side in world soccer. Bafana are ranked 83rd.
Bafana have punched well above their weight since Parreira took control last November and has led the new-look Bafana to 12 matches unbeaten in the build-up to the World Cup finals.
But Mexico — when on form — are the best team in Group A, which also includes two former world champions in France and Uruguay.
France are rated ninth and Uruguay 16th best in world soccer at present.
Said Mosimane: “Mexico fear nobody. They are prepared to attack with eight players pushing in to opponents half.
“They are an awesome side, but having said that, we know what to expect and are ready.”
Mexico have qualified for an incredible 14 World Cup finals while Bafana have qualified for three (including 2010 as hosts).
The players to watch are new Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez, Arsenal’s Carlos Vela and midfield star Giovanni dos Santos who are all making their first appearance on the world’s biggest stage.
Dos Santos is on loan to Turkish giants Galatasaray from English Premiership side Tottenham Hotspur.
El Tri — as Mexico are nicknamed — have in veteran Cuauhtémoc Blanco and West Ham United striker Guillermo Franco, two experienced strikers who are going to make life difficult for not just Bafana, but Uruguay and France as well.
Their defensive kingpin is 31-year-old Rafael Marquez who plays for Spanish champions Barcelona where he has won four La Liga and two European Champions League titles.
Marques is supported by Stuttgart’s Ricardo Osorio and three Dutch based defenders, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido and Hector Moreno.
The Mexican squad:
Goalkeepers: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Michel (Guadalajara)
Defenders: Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Joerge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM)
Midfielders: Andres Guardado (Desportivo La Coruna)), Giovanni dos Santos (Galatasaray), Gerrardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM)
Strikers: Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham United), Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM)
From timeslive.co.za
Photograph by: HENRY ROMERO
Credit: REUTERS
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