The last time we directed our attention to South Africa, the Dutch were turning the World Cup final into something resembling a mixed martial arts encounter. Thanks, Nigel de Jong. We can expect a much more civilized match on Wednesday, when the U.S. faces South Africa in the Nelson Mandela Challenge in Cape Town.
It's the 12th time the Stars and Stripes will play a match in the backyard of the 2010 World Cup hosts in the past three years, having competed in the 2007 edition of the Nelson Mandela Challenge, the 2009 Confederations Cup and the World Cup. Bafana Bafana are yet to record a win over their American counterparts in their three previous meetings, but South Africa is a much improved side.
What do you need to know about this friendly? Here are five observations:
1. Bob Bradley's babies
The American coach has included two teenagers in his 18-man squad. Striker Juan Agudelo and defender Gale Agbossoumonde are the first two products of U.S. Soccer's Development Academy to earn national call-ups. There are six uncapped players in the squad, and a half dozen more with only 10 international caps between them. The regulars, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey,Jozy Altidore, Tim Howard and Carlos Bocanegra, among others, will not be making the trip. Bradley said he is building toward the 2011 Gold Cup and his preparation starts here.
