Tournament News
'World is focused on SA'
2010-03-02 08:25
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Durban - South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira said on Monday his team is now the focus of the football world and has told his players that everything they do from now on is important.
Parreira spoke on arrival in Durban ahead of Tuesday's celebrations in the east coast city to mark the 100-day countdown to the World Cup.
"I wish to say to my players from now on everything they do is important," Parreira said. "Even at training, because we are now a World Cup team. We are World Cup players, the whole world is focused on us so everything changes."
South Africa takes on Namibia at the newly built Moses Mabhida Stadium on Wednesday in its final warmup match in front of its own fans ahead of World Cup kickoff on June 11.
Despite the huge challenge that awaits the host country in Group A alongside Mexico and former winners France and Uruguay, the Brazilian coach said his players should make the most of it.
"There is something about the World Cup, once you have been there you will know the feeling," Parreira said. "It's priceless, difficult to describe. You have to be there to know it.
"So I tell my players: you are part of the elite, you are going to represent your country and very few athletes in the world have this opportunity, so use it and do the best you can do."
The South African Football Federation said Orlando Pirates midfielder Teko Modise would be captain against Namibia in the absence of regular skipper Aaron Mokoena, who was not required by Parreira for the match.
Modise led his country to victory against neighbor Zimbabwe in another friendly last month.
Parreira also said he was keeping a close watch on injured striker Benni McCarthy of England's West Ham.
Parreira said the experienced McCarthy, who scored South Africa's first ever World Cup goal in 1998, was still a crucial part of his squad despite doubts over his commitment to the team.
"I have been saying this all along: I believe Benni is a big asset for us because of his quality and experience and if he can't be here with us it's a big blow," Parreira said. "We need him for his experience."
