Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is expecting full stadiums, an electric atmosphere and some tough games in South Africa.
The Dutchman arrived with his English Premier League teammates at OR Tambo international on Thursday morning to a rousing reception from football lovers ahead of matches against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Van der Vaart is no stranger to these shores, having reached the World Cup final in South Africa in 2010 and is relishing being back in such a soccer-crazed country.
He told the club's official website: "We had a great tournament last summer. Football is really big there, especially after the World Cup. I'm sure the stadiums will be full and it will be a great atmosphere.
"They love football, the whole country, you can feel that.
"The people want to see the games, they want to be at the stadium. You could see that at the World Cup. That was a great experience.
"We'll go there to play three games and work hard. I'm looking forward to it.
"They will be tough games because the teams over there are really strong.
"I had a quick chat with Steven Pienaar and he told me that the teams in South Africa are strong, so I'm sure they will be a test and ideal friendly matches for us."
Kaizer Chiefs Supporters Relations Manager, Cecil Motaung praised his side's supporters for the manner in which they welcomed the Spurs players to the country.
He told the club's official website: "It is a culture at Chiefs that we welcome our visitors into the country.
"We did this with Manchester United and Manchester City and the Spurs contingent appreciated the gesture. There were also supporters from Orlando Pirates and few from Tottenham Hotspur.
"I would like to thank all the supporters who came through to the airport to support this initiative. We are working together with Orlando Pirates and on the same initiative will unfold in Mpumalanga when Spurs arrive there to play them."
The Dutchman arrived with his English Premier League teammates at OR Tambo international on Thursday morning to a rousing reception from football lovers ahead of matches against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Van der Vaart is no stranger to these shores, having reached the World Cup final in South Africa in 2010 and is relishing being back in such a soccer-crazed country.
He told the club's official website: "We had a great tournament last summer. Football is really big there, especially after the World Cup. I'm sure the stadiums will be full and it will be a great atmosphere.
"They love football, the whole country, you can feel that.
"The people want to see the games, they want to be at the stadium. You could see that at the World Cup. That was a great experience.
"We'll go there to play three games and work hard. I'm looking forward to it.
"They will be tough games because the teams over there are really strong.
"I had a quick chat with Steven Pienaar and he told me that the teams in South Africa are strong, so I'm sure they will be a test and ideal friendly matches for us."
Kaizer Chiefs Supporters Relations Manager, Cecil Motaung praised his side's supporters for the manner in which they welcomed the Spurs players to the country.
He told the club's official website: "It is a culture at Chiefs that we welcome our visitors into the country.
"We did this with Manchester United and Manchester City and the Spurs contingent appreciated the gesture. There were also supporters from Orlando Pirates and few from Tottenham Hotspur.
"I would like to thank all the supporters who came through to the airport to support this initiative. We are working together with Orlando Pirates and on the same initiative will unfold in Mpumalanga when Spurs arrive there to play them."
