FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template

Debutants South Africa will name their 22-man squad on Sunday for the World Cup finals in France from June 10 to July 12.

Coach Philippe Troussier brought 24 players to this Black Forest town, 100km south-west of Stuttgart, for a training camp and says the unlucky players are likely to come from a list of six. The Frenchman named those facing the axe as defender Pierre Issa and midfielders Sello Mahlangu, Naughty Boy Mokoena, Lebogang Morula, Daniel Mudau and Alfred Phiri.

Mahlangu, Mokoena and Morula are uncapped and probably in greatest danger, Issa and Phiri have one cap each and Mudau last played for his country more than two years ago.

A shortage of defensive cover may save Issa, who plays for French club Olympique Marseille and has an intimate knowledge of the conditions facing the 1996 African champions.

Stade Velodrome, the home ground of Marseille, will be the setting for the entry of South Africa into the international showpiece on June 12 against France.

The defensive strength of Mahlangu, the versatily of Mudau and the promise of Phiri could enable them to survive, leaving Morula and Mokoena as the likeliest candidates.

“This is not a decision I am looking forward to, but it is part of my responsibility as coach,” said Troussier, who took charge of the national team in March.

The Frenchman moved to Africa 10 years ago and was national coach of Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Burkina Faso before succeeding Clive Barker, who resigned following a string of defeats last year. South Africa play Iceland in Stuttgart on June 6 before travelling to the French town of Vichy, where they will complete preparations for Group C matches against France, Denmark and Saudi Arabia.