SA and Tanzania face fixture switch

ejogo · 2011-05-06T15:03:27+00:00

The international friendly between South Africa and Tanzania in Dar-es-Salaam will be played two weeks later than was originally scheduled. GettyImagesPitso Mosimane: In charge of South Africa The match will take place on May 28 instead of May 14 in order to allow both teams to prepare adequately for their African Cup of Nations qualifiers that will be played the next weekend. South Africa play Egypt in Cairo on Saturday, June 4, while Tanzania face Central African Republic in Bangui the next day. The countries have agreed that playing their friendly the week before these key matches will go a long way to solidifying their preparations. South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane said that match time was necessary for this team. "I need the friendly game to tune-up the boys ahead of the African Nations Cup qualifier against Egypt on June 5," he said on Thursday. "And it would have been ideal to play them much closer to the game against Egypt." Later that afternoon, his wish was granted and the fixture was moved. South Africa will have overseas based stars Kagisho Dikgacoi, who has returned from English Championship side Crystal Palace and striker Bernard Parker who plays in Greece, available for selection. Tottenham midfielder Steven Pienaar was initially confirmed as not being able to make the trip, but that may change with the new date. The rescheduling, which comes a week after the local Premier Soccer League season ends, will also ensure that all local players will be available for the squad that Mosimane will announce on Thursday. Tanzania are also intent on bolstering their ranks and have extended invitations to six foreign-based players. Nizar Khalfan who plays in Canada for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Danny Mrwanda and Abdi Kassim from Vietnam's DT Long An, Scandinavian-based Athuman Machupa and Henry Joseph, and Idrissa Rajab, who plays in Kenya, are all expected to be released from their clubs to play in the match. Tanzania missed the services of Khalfan, Mrwanda and Kassim in their March Nations Cup qualifier against Central African Republic and struggled to a 2-1 win. That was their only victory in the campaign so far and they are second in the qualifying group, after three matches. South Africa are sitting comfortably on top of Group G, with two wins from the same number of games. Victory against Egypt will all but seal participation in next year's competition for the 2010 World Cup hosts.

Thread starter ejogo
Start date May 6, 2011

ejogo

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SA and Tanzania face fixture switch

ejogo

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