The South African Football Legends, made up mostly of the players who won the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) in 1996, will take on their German counterparts at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday in a special match to honour the late Bafana Bafana assistant coach Thomas Madigage.
The match is an initiative that stems from the relationship between the German Football Federation (DFB) and the South African Football Association (Safa), and the event is likely to become an annual affair.
Both sides will play in their national team colours, and while there will be no award on offer, the match is likely to be an excellent spectacle.
Champions of Africa
It will be a case of the Bafana Bafana of old returning to the field as a unit for the first time in 16 years since the Clive Barker-coached side stunned the world by being crowned champions of Africa.
A large number of players from the squad that won the 1996 Afcon have confirmed their participation in this historic match.
They include goalkeeper John Tlale, defenders Mark "Feeesh" Fish, Edward "Magents" Motale, David "Going Up" Nyathi, Neil "Mokoko" Tovey and Andrew Tucker.
Zane "Koloi Ya Bakgatla" Moosa will pull the strings in midfield alongside strongman Linda "Mercedes Benz" Buthelezi and Dumisani "Isphithiphithi" Ngobe.
Striking partnership
Phil "Chippa" Masinga and Daniel "Mambush" Mudau are set to revive their striking partnership from their days at Mamelodi Sundowns.
Tovey and Lucas "Rhoo" Radebe will marshal the defence.
The team will be coached by Barker and will be assisted by the legendary Nelson "Teenage" Dladla.
The technical staff will include Glyn Binkin (Team Manager), Dr. Victor Ramathesele (Team Doctor) and Yusef Kodisang (Kit Manager)
German squad
The German squad of 15 players will also take time out to visit different parts of South Africa on a sight-seeing mission. Included in their ranks are players who have won the World Cup, the European Championship, and the Olympic Games.
They will be coached by Erick Rutemoller, former assistant coach of the German National Team, former German under-20 national coach, and former Bundesliga coach of FC Koln and Hansa Rostock.
The match will be made up of two 35 minute halves and tickets will cost R40 each. They are available at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers and Shoprite/Checkers outlets countrywide.
Curtain-raiser
The clash will be played as a curtain-raiser to the Kaizer Chiefs /Supersport United Absa Premiership encounter meaning the R40 package will enable fans to watch both mouth-watering clashes.
The South Africans will arrive in Polokwane on Friday, 9 November, and are scheduled to have a light training session at 17:00 at Seshego Stadium.
Both teams are expected to hold coaching clinics on Saturday (10 November), starting at 10:00.
SQUADS
SOUTH AFRICA
Goalkeepers: John Tlale, Mark Anderson
Defenders: Mark Fish, Edward Motale, David Nyathi, Neil Tovey (c), Lucas Radebe
Midfielders: Andrew Tucker, Linda Buthelezi, Helman Mkhalele, Zane Moosa, Dumisani Ngobe
Strikers: Phil Masinga, Daniel Mudau, Fanie Madida
Coach: Clive Barker
Ass. Coach: Teenage Dladla
GERMANY
Dieter Burdenski (12 caps, 1978 Fifa World Cup), Olaf Marschall (13 caps, 1998 Fifa), Thomas Doll (18 caps, 1992 European Championship), Jorg Heinrich (37 caps, 1998 Fifa World Cup), Matthias Herget (39 caps, 1986 Fifa World Cup), Dieter Eilts (31 caps, 1996 European Championship winner), Marko Rehmer (35 caps, 2002 Fifa World Cup), Oliver Reck (1 cap, 1996 European Championship winner), Hans-Jurgen Dorner (100 caps, 1976 Olympic Games gold medallist), Tobias Rau (7 caps, 152 Bundesliga appearances), Roy Prager (1 cap, 173 Bundesliga appearances), Michael Schultz (7 caps, 1992 European Championship), Martin Max (1 cap, 298 Bundesliga appearances), Lars Unger (11 u-21 caps, Sweden 1992 European Championship), Gert Engels (represented Germany, current head coach of Mozambique)
Coach: Erich Rutemoller
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