FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
World Cup qualifiers Argentina and South Africa bridge a 92-year gap when they meet Monday in a warm-up for the international showpiece next month.
South Africa triumphed 4-1 when the countries clashed here in 1902, despite enduring stormy seas and two engine failures during the 21-day voyage.
It took 1996 African champions Bafana Bafana (The Boys) only 15 hours to reach the Argentine capital this week for a match likely to produce a much different result.
Argentina have won the World Cup twice and are rated among the favourites to succeed in France because of an in-form squad laced with European-based stars.
They defeated defending champions Brazil 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro last month and overcame Bosnia 5-0 and Chile 1-0 at home recently with ace striker Gabriel Batistuta scoring four goals.
A shock loss in Israel is the only blemish on the Argentine record this year and a squad coached by former star and stict disciplinarian Daniel Passarella appears to be clicking at the right time. Goalkeeper Carlos Roa, defender Jose Chamot and striker Hernan Crespo are doubtful starters through injury, but should be fit for the 32-nation World Cup finals.
Italian-based Batistuta, who has scored 42 goals in 59 appearances, could pose the biggest threat as South Africa are unused to facing strikers of his calibre.
South Africa brought a 24-strong squad lacking star midfielder John Moeti, who fractured his ankle playing for Orlando Pirates in the South Africa Cup final last Sunday.
His place has been filled by Sello ‘Page’ Mahlangu, an uncapped 31-year-old destroyer from champions Sundowns, whose elevation raised eyebrows in sections of the South African media. “To succeed here my players must get rid of their inferiority complexes when playing teams outside Africa,” South Africa’s French-born national coach Philippe Troussier warned. South Africa have won only once in 15 matches against non-African rivals and were beaten by England, France, Germany, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay last year.
Bafana Bafana began their World Cup countdown with a lacklustre 1-1 draw at home to Zambia in midweek. Striker Shaun Bartlett levelled in the second half after the visitors snatched an early lead. Troussier praised Turkish-based midfielder John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu and said he preferred a draw to a comfortable victory at this stage of his preparations.
The coach is expected to retain most of those who started against Zambia with Quinton Fortune a possible replacement for midfielder Alfred Phiri. African Nations Cup star Benni McCarthy may return in attack.
Argentina have drawn minnows Japan and Jamaica and Croatia in Group H of the World Cup while South Africa confront France, Denmark and Saudi Arabia in Group C.