AFCON 2013: South Africa vs Cape Verde preview

January 18, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

South Africa vs AlgeriaThe 2013 Africa Cup of Nations opens with hosts South Africa taking on first time participants Cape Verde, but that certainly does not mean the hosts will have an easy job here.

Despite boasting a very strong squad, Bafana Bafana have been struggling to prove their worth at major tournaments of late, and they didn’t even qualify for the previous edition of Africa Cup of Nations.

However, the team have been showing some improvement under new boss Gordon Igesund, even if they failed to win any of their two warm-up matches in January.

While star player Steven Pienaar refused to reconsider his international retirement, the boss also opted to leave out the likes of Teko Modise, Benni McCarthy and Lebohang Mokoena.

England-based Kagisho Dikgacoi and Dean Furman are expected to form a midfield pairing, while Ajax winger Thulani Serero has also been given a chance to impress.

BetVictor has South Africa at 1.62 (5/8) to win their opening game, whereas Bafana Bafana are 10.00 (9/1) with Paddy Power to go all the way.

Gordon Igesund has absolutely no selection worries and is set to field his strongest line-up, with Bernard Parker and Katlego Mphela likely to form the attacking partnership.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Khune – Gaxa, Khumalo, Sangweni, Ngonca – Serero, Furman, Dikgacoi, Phala – Parker, Mphela.

This will be the first ever Africa Cup of Nations for Cape Verde, but the mere fact this island nation is currently better placed than all of their opponents in Group A in the FIFA rankings speaks volumes about their recent uptrend in fortunes.

After narrowly missing out on a place at the 2012 AFCON, the Blue Sharks eliminated Madagascar and Cameroon to ensure their place in South Africa.

They have since been preparing for the long-awaited participation at the tournament finals and Lucio Antunes’ side are clearly not here only to make up the numbers.

With most of the players plying their trade in decent European leagues, Cape Verde might just be able to produce a couple of shocks at the 2013 AFCON.

The Blue Sharks are 7.00 (6/1) with BetVictor to win their first game at the tournament, while they are 4.50 (7/2) with Paddy Power to make it to the quarter-finals.

Lille winger Ryan Mendes and Maritimo forward Heldon will be relied on to make an impact against South Africa.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Fock – F. Varela, Gege, Nando, Nivaldo – Babanco, Soares, Platini, T. Varela – Heldon, Mendes.

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  1. tumi says:

    I thnk bafana hsnt being preforming 2 da fullest dis daes mara let’s hope 2mrw a miricale cn hpn, by da way m al wishin thm gud luck a win its a win 2 me, m used 2 loses, I wnt mind if thy los mara thy r winin 2mrw