Parreira recalls Carnell
2/25/2010 2:54:13 PM
Bradley Carnell © Gallo Images
Bafana Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, raised a few eyebrows when he named his 22-man squad to face Namibia in a friendly international to be played at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium next Wednesday night.

The match will also be used to celebrate 100 days to go before the World Cup kicks off at Soccer City on June 11, when Bafana will play Mexico in the opening Group A match.

Parreira was expected to name a local-based squad, but has drafted in three experienced European-based defenders in Bradley Carnell, Bryce Moon and Bevan Fransman.

It will be the trio's last chance to impress the coach ahead of Bafana's training camp in Brazil next month.

Also making a comeback to the national side is on form Mamelodi Sundowns winger-cum-striker Lebohang “Cheeseboy” Mokoena.

Parreira did not include the likes of Everton's Steven Pienaar and team captain Aaron Mokoena of troubled English Premiership side Portsmouth.

“I do not need to see Pienaar or Mokoena. I know them and what they can do. I see Pienaar every week for his club on television.

"I have brought back the likes of Carnell, Moon and Fransman to have a look at them under competitive match conditions.”

The injury-prone Carnell (32), who has not featured for his country for almost 18 months, is now playing in the German Second Division for Hansa Rostock and, according to Bafana assistant coach Jairo Leal, he could be used as cover for injured Israel-based left back Tshepo Masilela.

“Masilela has a hip injury that could be serious. Carnell is experienced but is also prone to injuries. This game against Namibia gives the coach (Parreira) the chance to have a look a Carnell, as we do not have a lot of cover at left back,” said Leal.

At 32 this is Carnell's last chance of impressing Parreira with a view to securing a place in the World Cup squad.

Leal also said the technical team had hoped to have Dutch-based striker Kermit Erasmus released for the match, but his club, Excelsior, refused to release him at the last minute.

Parreira said he would name his squad to travel to Brazil on March 4, but did not expect to have Bafana's top European-based stars released.

Parreira also said he has selected a maximum of three players per PSL side.

He explained: “I thought the Premiership title race would go down to the last round on March 6, so I did not want to take too many players away from clubs like SuperSport United and Sundowns, who I thought would be contesting the league title.

"As it turned out SuperSport won the title on Wednesday night, but there was no need for me to change my plans or squad.”

Mokoena has been outstanding for Downs this season since he left Orlando Pirates badly out of form. At 23, Mokoena still has plenty to offer, as he has shown at Sundowns. A good showing against Namibia could propel him into Parreira's plans for the World Cup.

Bafana's other assistant coach, Pitso Mosimane, said that while Namibia are no world beaters, they will prove ideal opponents.

“This is a good game for us in that it gives us the opportunity to try out a few things and look at some different combinations.”

It was also confirmed that Bafana will play Denmark at home in their final warm-up friendly on June 5.

South African Football Association CEO Leslie Sedibe, said he is finalising Sandown High School as Bafana's training base for the World Cup.

“We have five venues in mind but the coach is happy with Sandown High School and I expect to have everything finalised by next Friday.”

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Emile Baron (SuperSport United), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs).

Defenders: Bradley Carnell (FC Hansa Rostock, Germany), Bevan Fransman (Maccabi Netanya, Israel), Morgan Gould (SuperSport), Bryce Moon (PAOK, Greece), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Siyabonga Sangweni, Mzuvukile Tom (both Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Siyanda Xulu (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Andile Jali (Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Arrows), Daine Klate (SuperSport), Reneilwe Letsholonyane , Siphiwe Tshabalala (both Chiefs), Teko Modise (Pirates), Lebohang Mokoena (Sundowns), Tlou Segolela (Bloemfontein Celtic).

Strikers: Katlego Mphela (Sundowns) and Thulani Serero (Ajax CT).