JOHANNESBURG (AP) - Steven Pienaar will captain South Africa for the first time when Bafana Bafana play the United States next week in an exhibition at Cape Town.
South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane bypassed regular captain Aaron Mokoena and midfielder Macbeth Sibaya for his 23-man roster, and is missing injured defender Bongani Khumalo and forward Katlego Mphela for the Nov. 17 match.
Eight changes were made from the roster than tied Sierra Leone 0-0 in an African Cup of Nations qualifier last month.
Leeds forward Davide Somma, formerly of Major League Soccer’s San Jose Earthquake, could make his first international appearance along with midfielder Matthew Pattison and defender Siyanda Xulu. Somma who born in South Africa but moved to the U.S. when he was 12.
The 25th-ranked U.S., 4-5-4 and trying to avoid a losing record for the first time since 1997, plans to announce its roster Thursday.
South Africa, ranked 52nd, became the first World Cup host who failed to advance past the first round.
The South African roster:
Goalkeepers: Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs),
Defenders: Bevan Fransman (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Siboniso Gaxa (Lierse, Belgium), Morgan Gould (Supersport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Anele Ngcongca (Racing Genk, Belgium), Keegan Ritchie (Moroka Swallows), Siyabonga Sangweni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Siyanda Xulu (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielders: Daylon Claasen (Lierse, Belgium), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Andile Jali (Orlando Pirates), Thanduyise Khuboni (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Matthew Pattison (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Forwards: Kermit Erasmus (Supersport United), Sthembiso Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs), Bernard Parker (Twente, Netherlands), Davide Somma (Leeds, England)
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