The Final 23!

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira had the painful job of selecting the South African World Cup Squad from the 28 hopefuls that have been strutting their talent in the last few weeks friendly matches. I am very happy with majority of the selection and also believe that the Coach really knows what he is doing, he has proven this in the last 11 games.

Below are all the successful players that will be representing South Africa at the FIFA 2010 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United).

Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Pirates).

Midfielders: Surprise Moriri, Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Teko Modise (Pirates), Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala (both Kaizer Chiefs), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows).

Strikers: Katlego Mphela (Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Holland).

And not included in the squad are the following:
Rowen Fernandez (Arminia Bielefeld),

Innocent Mdledle (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Benni McCarthy (West Ham),

Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates),

Franklin Cale (Mamelodi Sundowns)

I feel really sorry for Benni McCarthy because he has the experience to be part of the squad and despite his weight issues, I feel that he would have delivered at the World Cup. The twitter "fat" jokes aren't helping his situation either in terms of garnering sympathy after losing such a great opportunity, I cannot imagine how he must be feeling and hope he is consoled by at least by still being able to experience such a great event at home.I am also disappointed that Aaron Mokoena made the final squad as I do not believe that he deserves to be in, it seems like just because he's the captain he is somehow immune from not being selected. He is a certified liability and am pretty sure that he will be the cause of a few penalties and free kicks from the opposition teams during the World Cup, don't say I didn't tell you!

All things said though, it is a soccer player's dream AND a great honour & privilege to wear the green and yellow jersey and we want the boys to wear it with pride, SHAPA BAFANA SHAPA!!
Congratulations to all those that made it!