Soccer: South Africa gets ready for Ghana

Johannesburg - SA national under-23 coach Ephraim "Shakes" Mashaba announced a 22-man squad on Wednesday for the Olympic qualifier game against Ghana and immediately indicated that he will not be hard on his players.

The SA under-23 side, Amaglug-glug, will assemble on October 10 before invading Ghana on October 17 in the preliminary games for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The second leg will be played in SA in March 2000.

"The players did the country proud with their brilliant performance during the Africa Games. Secondly, they earned the dignity they deserve from the whole continent," said Mashaba at a media conference on Wednesday.

Mashaba said it was necessary to take the strongest possible squad to Ghana as "there will be no time for slip-ups".

"Playing away from home can be very difficult," said Mashaba. "We are going to fight all the way and try to get a good result. I will be happy to win but a draw is still acceptable. Not a 0-0 draw. If we score goals away from home that will help us in the second leg."

There were only three surprises, if any, and they were mainly strikers. Sisa Nombe of Moroka Swallows, Lebohang Kukame of Celtic and Sibongakonke Ndlovu of Sundowns have been drafted in.

Of Kukame and Nombe, Mashaba said: "Their names are only new on paper. They have been with the team for some time.

"Ndlovu is new in the team. After having problems with the strikers we felt it was necessary to draft him into the squad. If he proves to be better than the strikers we have, he will certainly gain a place in the squad."

Bloemfontein Celtic striker Daniel Matsau, who got injured during the All Africa Games training, was not on the list when Mashaba announced the squad. However, Mashaba indicated that the door was not closed.

"Matsau's team will be in action on Wednesday and I am still awaiting a late fitness test report from his club. Should he show signs of recovery, he might be considered," said Mashaba. The final squad of 18 players will be announced next Wednesday.

A familiar member of Amaglug-glug who was not on the list when the squad was named, is Spanish-based Benni McCarthy.

The sensational Cape Town-born star may never don the rainbow colours again. "I received a letter from the office of the president of Safa concerning McCarthy. He is out and we cannot select him until further notice," said Mashaba.

The Squad: Goalkeepers: Wayne Roberts Orlando Pirates); Emile Baron (Lillestrom FC).

Defenders: Aaron Mokoena (Ajax Amsterdam); Fabien McCarthy (Bloemfontein Celtic); Matthew Booth (Sundowns); Nkhiphitheni Matombo (Manning Rangers); David Kannemeyer (Ajax Cape Town).

Midfielders: Jabu Pule (Kaizer Chiefs); Patrick Mbuthu (Chiefs); Abram Nteo (Celtic); Quinton Fortune (Man United); Delron Buckley (VfL Bochum); Mzunani Mgwigwi (Bush Bucks); Hendrick Gulwa (Celtic); Stanton Fredericks (Wits); Steve Lekoelea (Pirates).

Strikers: Sisa Nombe (Moroka Swallows); Nkosinathi Nhleko (Jomo Cosmos); Hareaipha Marumo (Septemvri); Lebohang Kukane (Celtic); Siyabonga Nonvete (Chiefs).