Players missing include defensive stalwarts Igor Tudor of Juventus and Bayern Munich's Robert Kovac, top scorer Davor Suker, now with 1860 Munich, and Middlesbrough striker Alen Boksic.

BBC: Big names miss friendly

Also travelling is 1860 Munich midfielder Lance Davids and Katlego Mphela, the 19-year-old striker from Racing Strasbourg in France.

BBC: SPORT | Football | African | SA look to the future

In his first Bundesliga season Diabang is proving as much of a star as home-spun strikers Kevin Kuranyi (Stuttgart) and Benny Lauth (1860 Munich).

BBC: Momo ponders his future