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Bloemfontein - Bafana Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, is determined to have as many of his European based players as possible when the squad goes into a month camp in Brazil in March as he prepares for the 2010 World Cup.
Speaking after Bafana had drawn their second successive friendly 0-0 against a second string Jamaica at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday night, Parreira said he hoped to get the likes of Benni McCarthy and Steven Pienaar released for the camp.
"I will do whatever it takes to make sure we get as many of the overseas based players released. Even if it means me going to the clubs personally and speaking to those clubs.
"I realise clubs are not obliged to release players in March as the dates do not fall on an official FIFA date, but I am going to do my best."
Parreira said the reason Bafana did well by reaching the semi-final of the Confederations Cup last June, was due to the fact the previous coach Joel Santana, had the majority of players in camp at least a month before the competition started.
"It is vital we get the right preparation for the World Cup next June. I am still confident that with the right preparation we will get into the second round of the finals.
"I plan to play at least six friendly matches in Brazil during the camp."
Parreira said while he had hoped to score wins over Jamaica and Japan who Bafana also drew 0-0 against in Port Elizabeth at the weekend he was happy the spirit and confidence was slowly returning after the side suffered eight defeats in nine matches before his return last month.
Parreira also said he planned a camp for local based players from January 15 to January 28, but said they were still discussing this camp and at this stage it was on, but plans could change."
The other camp scheduled for Germany in April is still on and Parreira is busy trying to get players released for that camp as well.
Parreira said that goal scoring was a problem and some players were clearly not match fit, such as McCarthy who gets little game time with his English Premiership club Blackburn Rovers.
He added Pienaar will make the world of difference when he recovers from injury that sidelined him for both his club Everton and Bafana.
"Pienaar is a class act and has improved in two years at Everton. I am looking forward to when he returns fully fit as he will make a huge difference to this squad."
