The
South African Football Association (SAFA) has honoured five players who
recently reached a 50-mark cap milestone.
The
ceremony was held in Durban at the team’s hotel on Sunday, 20 January 2013, a
day after two of them, Katlego Mphela and Bernard Parker accumulated those caps
in a goalless draw with Cape Verde.
SAFA
President Kirsten Nematandani awarded the five players with framed jerseys
which were signed by the players, and spotted the number 50.
Those
who received the accolades are Siboniso Gaxa (54 caps); Itumeleng Khune (51);
Kagisho Dikgacoi (51); Bernard Parker (50) and Mphela (50).
“On
behalf of SAFA, I would like to say congratulations to these five players and
many more that have walked this path. This is a very important milestone and
not many get to reach it, and for that all five of you need to be proud of your
achievements.
“Your
role in this current Bafana Bafana squad is very crucial in that you are the
foundation of this team, and the young ones can learn from you. And to those
who are still travelling this road, what we see today shows it can be done only
if you put your mind to it,” said Nematandani.
The
ceremony was also attended by the Mayor of EThekwini Municipality Councillor
James Nxumalo, who welcomed the team to Durban.
“On
behalf of the City of EThekwini and the Province of KwaZulu Natal I would like
to welcome you to Durban, which you all know is a happy hunting ground for
Bafana Bafana. Just know that you have our full support, and we have no doubt
that you will win when you play Angola in your second match on Wednesday,” said
Councillor Nxumalo.
“As
a City we are ready for the tournament and we have prepared thoroughly to host
the continent. We are currently left with just over 2,500 tickets and we
believe by match day they will all be gone. All the best Bafana Bafana.”
Midfielder
Siphiwe Tshabalala is the most capped in the current squad with 74 caps, while
former captain Aaron Mokoena is highest capped South African on 107.
The
five players join an illustrious group of players who have represented South
Africa more than 50 times:
Aaron
Mokoena - 107
Siyabonga
Nomvethe - 82
Benni
McCarthy 80
Shaun
Bartlett - 74
Siphiwe
Tshabalala - 74
Delron
Buckley - 73
John
Moshoeu - 73
Lucas
Radebe - 70
Andre
Arendse - 67
Sibusiso
Zuma - 67
Helman
Mkhalele - 66
Teko
Modise - 66
Steven
Pienaar - 62
Macbeth Sibaya - 62
Mark Fish - 62
Phil Masinga - 58
Siboniso
Gaxa - 54
Neil Tovey - 52
Kagisho
Dikgacoi - 51
Itumeleng
Khune - 51
Doctor Khumalo - 50
Katlego
Mphela - 50
Bernard
Parker - 50
Here’s a brief fact
file of the five players and their caps:
1. Siboniso Gaxa (54
caps)
Debut:
12 June 2005, Cape Verde, 2006 World Cup qualifier, (voted man of the match)
played in Praia
50:
vs Gabon, 15 June 2012, international friendly match, Mbombela
2. Kagisho Dikgacoi
(51 caps)
Debut:
27 June 2007, vs Swaziland, Cosafa Castle Cup, Somhlolo Stadium, Swaziland
50:
vs Algeria, 12 January 2013, friendly international match, Orlando Stadium
3. Itumeleng Khune
(51 caps)
Debut:
11 March 2008, v Zimbabwe international friendly, Germiston
50:
v Algeria, international friendly, 12 January 2013, Orlando Stadium
4. Bernard Parker (50
caps)
Debut:
26 June 2007, Cosafa Castle Cup semi-final, Somhlolo Stadium, Swaziland (scored
in the penalty shootout of that match)
50:
vs Cape Verde, Afcon 2013, 19 January 2013
5. Katlego Mphela
(50)
Debut:
26 February 2005, vs Seychelles, Cosafa Castle Cup, Curepipe, Seychelles
(scored two goals in that match)
50:
SA v Cape Verde National Stadium, Afcon 2013, National Stadium 19 January 2013
