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Hosts South Africa kick-off the World Cup against Mexico in the opening game of this summer's tournament.
South Africa is at fever pitch as they prepare to become the first African country to stage football's greatest showpiece.
Soccer City in Johannesburg is the venue for the game with both sides looking to get their Group A campaign off to a positive start.
South Africa go into the encounter in high spirits as they are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run, while Mexico are buoyed by their recent friendly win over World Cup holders Italy.
France and Uruguay make up the rest of Group A so South Africa and Mexico will be looking to put the pressure on their rivals with victory in the opening fixture.
Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is hoping to have left-back Tsepo Masilela back from injury after he missed the last two warm-up games through injury.
Lucas Thwala is on stand-by to deputise for Masilela if he fails to recover in time.
Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is set to take his place between the posts after recovering from a back problem.
Creative
The hosts will look to midfield star Steven Pienaar to provide the creative edge for them in midfield, while Portsmouth's Aaron Mokoena will captain the side.
With Benni McCarthy being left out of the squad Katlego Mphela is expected to lead the attack for the home side.
Mexico are boosted by the return of key duo Rafael Marquez and Guillermo Franco ahead of the game.
Barcelona star Marquez trained for the first time in South Africa earlier this week and he could go straight into the starting line-up.
Franco has shaken off a foot problem leaving Mexico coach Javier Aguirre with a dilemma on who to play in attack.
Arsenal's Carlos Vela is set to be given one of the two spots up front leaving Aguirre to decide between Franco and Manchester United-bound ace Javier Hernandez to partner Vela.
Tottenham midfielder Giovani Dos Santos will be the man charged with providing the ammunition for Mexico's forwards as they look upset South Africa.
Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio are battling it out to start at left-back with Salcido expected to get the nod at full-back.
http://www.skysports.com/football/wo...199576,00.html
South Africa is at fever pitch as they prepare to become the first African country to stage football's greatest showpiece.
Soccer City in Johannesburg is the venue for the game with both sides looking to get their Group A campaign off to a positive start.
South Africa go into the encounter in high spirits as they are currently on a 12-game unbeaten run, while Mexico are buoyed by their recent friendly win over World Cup holders Italy.
France and Uruguay make up the rest of Group A so South Africa and Mexico will be looking to put the pressure on their rivals with victory in the opening fixture.
Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is hoping to have left-back Tsepo Masilela back from injury after he missed the last two warm-up games through injury.
Lucas Thwala is on stand-by to deputise for Masilela if he fails to recover in time.
Goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune is set to take his place between the posts after recovering from a back problem.
Creative
The hosts will look to midfield star Steven Pienaar to provide the creative edge for them in midfield, while Portsmouth's Aaron Mokoena will captain the side.
With Benni McCarthy being left out of the squad Katlego Mphela is expected to lead the attack for the home side.
Mexico are boosted by the return of key duo Rafael Marquez and Guillermo Franco ahead of the game.
Barcelona star Marquez trained for the first time in South Africa earlier this week and he could go straight into the starting line-up.
Franco has shaken off a foot problem leaving Mexico coach Javier Aguirre with a dilemma on who to play in attack.
Arsenal's Carlos Vela is set to be given one of the two spots up front leaving Aguirre to decide between Franco and Manchester United-bound ace Javier Hernandez to partner Vela.
Tottenham midfielder Giovani Dos Santos will be the man charged with providing the ammunition for Mexico's forwards as they look upset South Africa.
Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio are battling it out to start at left-back with Salcido expected to get the nod at full-back.
http://www.skysports.com/football/wo...199576,00.html
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