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Nelson Mandela, home advantage and plastic trumpets are among the elements South Africa hope will help them survive the humiliation of a first-round exit next month. Becoming the first country not to progress beyond the mini-league first phase is a...

Nelson Mandela, home advantage and plastic trumpets are among the elements South Africa hope will help them survive the humiliation of a first-round exit next month.
Becoming the first country not to progress beyond the mini-league first phase is a real prospect for arguably the weakest football nation bestowed the honour of staging the four-yearly international football showpiece.
South Africa occupy a group with former winners France as well as Uruguay and Mexico.
But supporters, who move about Johannesburg suburbs with mini national flags fluttering from car windows in the autumn breeze, are praying football can deal another miraculous hand.

Squad

Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira

Goalkeepers: Moeneeb Josephs, Itumeleng Khune and Shuaib Walters.

Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa, Bongani Khumalo, Tsepo Masilela, Aaron Mokoena, Anele Ngcongca, Siyabonga Sangweni and Lucas Thwala.

Midfielders: Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Lance Davids, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Thanduyise Khuboni, Teko Modise, Surprise Moriri, Steven Pienaar and Macbeth Sibaya.

Strikers: Katlego Mphela, Siyabonga Nomvete and Bernard Parker.

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