South Africa launch World Cup countdown

JOHANNESBURG, May 19 (AFP)

South Africa begin their countdown to the World Cup in France next month with a friendly against Zambia here Wednesday night. Who will appear for Bafana Bafana (The Boys) is the best kept soccer secret of the year with controversial French coach Philippe Troussier offering few clues. His only hint was that foreign-based stars like captain Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish and Philemon Masinga may be rested after arriving late at a training camp near Johannesburg. South Africans are anxious to see controversial inclusions like goalkeeper Hans Vonk from Dutch club Heerenveen and midfielder Marc Arnold from German club Hertha Berlin in action. They left South Africa as children and their selections ahead of local-based stars has stirred a storm with one newspaper branding them palookas (mugs) and aliens. Troussier became embroiled in the row when he manhandled a journalist over the slurs and the national football association was scheduled to discuss the incident late Tuesday. Diminutive Arnold has pleaded with often harsh South African supporters to give the newcomers a chance in the only home appearance by Bafana Bafana before they face France in Marseille on June 12. Leading scorer Masinga from Italian club Bari was forced into temporary retirement last year due to constant criticism from Johannesburg crowds with unrealistic expectations. Zambia held Angola and defeated Mozambique in recent Castle Cup Southern Africa championship matches and have won and lost twice in seven previous clashes. South Africa tackle twice world champions Argentina in Buenos Aires on May 25 and Iceland in the German city of Stuttgart on June 6 before meeting the World Cup hosts.