Tournament News
Bafana end Brazil tour on high
2010-03-21 16:32
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Rio de Janeiro - Six matches, four wins, two draws, 13 goals and no goals conceded!
That is Bafana Bafana’s scorecard at the end of the first leg of their training camp in Brazil. The squad has been in Rio de Janeiro for the past two weeks in preparation for the 2010 Fifa World Cup that starts in June. Next week they move their base came to Sao Paolo.
On Saturday (March 20) Bafana Bafana defeated Botafogo one nil at the Estadio Olimpico Joao Havelange, commonly known as the Engenhao Stadium. Botafogo used their reserve side as the first team was preparing to face fierce rivals Flamengo. In the Rio State league, Botafogo are second to Flamengo.
The match started with former Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana, who coaches Botafogo, going to greet the South African players in the dressing room. This was the first time Santana met the national team since he left South Africa.
Siphiwe Tshabalala scored the only goal of the match from a free kick; this was Tshabalala’s 4th goal in five matches.
“It was very hot and it was a tough match, but that’s good for us as we are getting some experience. I think we are well on track to be a well-oiled machine. Yes I am scoring goals but at the end of the day it’s a team effort and that’s what we are working towards – to be one unit so we can move forward together,” said Tshabalala.
“I have to say we have improved a lot, we are working very hard and the results are there for all to see. We are getting some much-needed experience and if we continue like this, we should be in tip-top condition in three months time,” added Katlego Mphela.
The match also saw defender Lucas Thwala featuring in the starting line-up for the first time since the start of the camp, relegating Innocent Mdledle to the bench. Thwala, just like Surprise Moriri, was playing his second match of the tour.
“We are getting better and better everyday, and we will reach our goal but as I have been saying it’s a process, something that we need to work on. But we have put in a lot of work in the last 13 days. I am very positive about where we are at the moment with our progress. Yes we have been winning games, but that is not the priority right now. We are achieving our goals of getting the team in the right frame of mind, getting shape, working on the identity, increasing speed and building confidence in the players. We are getting there slowly but surely. We are not ready yet for the tournament, especially because we still have to incorporate the overseas-based players in the side,” said Parreira.
The second leg of the Brazil camp starts in Sao Paolo on Monday when the team flies to the Traffic Training Centre where they will be based for the rest of the week.
There will be more practice matches before the team travel to Paraguay for an international friendly match against the hosts on Wednesday, 31 March.
How they lined up (subs in brackets):
Itumeleng Khune, Bongani Khumalo, Siyabonga Sangweni (Matthew Booth), Lucas Thwala (Innocent Mdledle), Siboniso Gaxa (Thabo Nthethe), Lance Davids (Daylon Claasen), Thanduyise Khuboni, Teko Modise (Reneilwe Letsholonyane), Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Surprise Moriri), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Franklin Cale), Katlego Mphela (Richard Henyekane).
Did not play: Moneeb Josephs, Siyanda Xulu, Andile Jali, Daine Klaite, Lebohang Mokoena, Gert Schalkwyk, Tlou Segolela and Thulani Serero.
Source: www.safa.net