Davids: 'Relieved and keen'

Johannesburg - Ajax Cape Town holding midfielder Lance Davids breathed a sigh of relief when Bafana Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira named him in his final 23-man squad to play at the World Cup finals, which kicks off next Friday at Soccer City when Bafana play Mexico in the opening Group A fixture. Kick-off is at 4pm.

Video: Steven Pienaar talks about the first SA fixture against Mexico

Many pundits expected Davids to be one of the unlucky five that Parreira axed on Tuesday morning, but it was glamour boy Benni McCarthy who was the shock casualty, along with German-based goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez, defenders Bryce Moon and Innocent Mdledle and midfielder Franklin Cale.

Said a relieved Davids, "The tension was unbearable, as none of the players knew until Tuesday morning who would leave and who would stay. I was delighted when I heard my name called.

"It is a tremendous confidence boost for my career as I now have the Confederations Cup and the World Cup finals on my CV.

"That is just great and I can now focus on helping Bafana at the World Cup."

Davids said he was surprised the squad did not leak to the media. South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO Leslie Sedibe, explained how the squad was kept secret, "The coach told his players at 8am who was dropped and why, and he announced the squad one hour later.

"We had to do it this way. A lot of people expected us to tell the players after our match against Guatemala in Polokwane on Monday night, but we kept it secret till the last minute because 23 players have wives, girlfriends and family and the temptation to tell them was too great.

"That was why we staged the press conference at the last minute and it worked."

Meanwhile Davids is hoping to get some game time when Bafana meet World Cup qualifiers Denmark in their final friendly warm-up match at a sold-out Super Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday (2.15pm).

Said David, "Just being part of the squad is an achievement and if given the chance I want to make a contribution.

"I hope to get some game time against Denmark, but in the meantime I am continuing to working as hard as I can."

Davids also disclosed he would be heading back to Europe after the World Cup. "I have enjoyed playing for Ajax last season but at 25 I am at the peak of my career and with the World Cup on my CV I feel I can make the grade in Europe."

Davids played in Germany for 1860 Munich and in Sweden for Djurgardens before playing in the PSL for SuperSport United and Ajax.

Bafana SWC squad

Goalkeepers:
Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Defenders:
Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngcongca (Genk, Belgium) Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Midfielders:
Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England) MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia) Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Forwards:
Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Netherlands)