Mokoena wanted to play

2008-09-07 15:26

Port Elizabeth - Bafana Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena who was suspended for Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Nigeria at the EPRU Stadium, volunteered to play in Tuesday's friendly international against Guinea at Atteridgeville's Super Stadium.

Kick-off is at 18:00.

This was revealed by Bafana head coach Joel Santana who drafted in five new players for the friendly against Guinea and left out stand-in skipper Benni McCarthy who led the team in place of his Blackburn Rovers teammate against the Super Eagles.

German based left back Bradley Carnell, defender Bryce Moon of Greek giants Panathinaikos who did not play against Nigeria and Kaizer Chiefs inspirational left wing Siphiwe Tshabalala, named Man of the Match against Nigeria are all rested.

Said Santana: "Mokoena contacted me and offered to play in the friendly against Guinea. He was bitterly disappointed by the fact he was suspended and could not play against Nigeria. I was delighted by his offer to play. It shows the spirit from the captain and that he leads by example.

"But I told him there was no need. He is a strong leader and part of the squad for 2010.

There was no need to bring him to Pretoria as I know what he can do and what he brings to the team."

Santana said he would use the match against Guinea to have a look at other players he did not get to watch in action against Nigeria and in the 2-2 friendly draw against Australia in London last month.

The five players he has added to the squad are two Ajax Cape Town defenders Brett Evans and Nazeer Allie, the exciting right wing from SuperSport United Daine Klate gets a deserved call up after catching the eye with a couple of breathtaking displays for the Premier Soccer League champions, plus strikers Petrus Mahlatsi of Bloemfontein Celtic and Thanda Royal Zulu's former South African Under-23 star Bernard Parker.

- SAPA