Tournament News

Bafana not up to scratch

2010-03-15 10:08
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Eduan Roos

Johannesburg – Bafana Bafana’s preparation for the World Cup just does not want to run smoothly.

The South Africans had to be content with a disappointing draw in the first of their five training games on their camp in Brazil.

While Bafana had the majority of possession, they could not score against Volta Redonda, who are a club side in Rio de Janeiro’s first league.

Carlos Parreira’s team arrived at the Granja Comary training complex the past week for a series of training games and an international match against Paraguay in preparation of the World Cup, which starts in less than three months.

The team has been sweating it out under fitness expert Francesco Gonzalez, but were due for a good break after last night’s second training game against Fluminense.

Parreira visited the iconic Maracana Stadium in Rio for the match between Flamengo and Vasco da Gama.

“In Brazilian soccer this fixture is about as big as a game between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates,” said Parreira.

“The players will now have first-hand experience of the Brazilian playing style.”

Parreira has been insisting for some time that a Bafana side “lacking identity” should play the same kind of football as Brazil.

He also said that only about half of the 29-man training squad in Brazil will make the cut for the tournament in June and July.

Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar, Kagisho Dikgacoi, MacBeth Sibaya and Katlego Mphela are among the South Africans still playing in Europe.
 

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