Lucas Radebe (Gallo Images)

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Timothy Molobi

Porto Feliz – Former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe has ruled himself out of the running to take over as their team manager.

The former defender has regularly been mentioned as a possible successor to Sipho Nkumane, but Radebe feels he has too many other commitments.

“I am involved with various other projects and it is taking too much of my time and attention,” he said.

“I have not spoken to anyone about the position, but will definitely turn it down.”

The former Leeds United captain this week paid a visit to the Bafana training camp outside Sao Paulo in Brazil, where the team is preparing for the 2010 World Cup.

“It’s a first for me to be able to address the players,” said Radebe.

“It’s a privilege to be able to play for South Africa and they must do it with huge pride. To be part of a World Cup tournament is already an achievement and they must know that the country is behind them.”

Radebe, who is also an ambassador for South African tourism, believes Bafana will reach the second round of the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.

Meanwhile, Surprise Moriri’s disappointment in missing last year’s Confederations Cup is still haunting him.

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was sidelined for six months with a knee injury and therefore missed the dress rehearsal for the World Cup.

“It was heartbreaking to miss the tournament and I pray every night that it won’t happen again,” he said.

While he has still not recovered fully, Moriri is happy with the strides he has made on Bafana’s South American safari.

“The first week, in particular, was very tough, but now I just have to regain my confidence and then I will be back to where I want to be,” he said.

“The coach (Carlos Alberto Parreira) clearly has confidence in me and I don’t want to disappoint him.”