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Possession the key for Bafana

IMPROVED SHOWING: Bafana Bafana's Teko Modise dribbles past Bulgaria's Vesselin Minev during their international friendly match at Orlando Stadium on Monday. Pic: Antonio Muchave. 24/05/2010. © Sowetan.
IMPROVED SHOWING: Bafana Bafana's Teko Modise dribbles past Bulgaria's Vesselin Minev during their international friendly match at Orlando Stadium on Monday. Pic: Antonio Muchave. 24/05/2010. © Sowetan.

BAFANA Bafana's ability to keep possession of the ball for long periods augurs well for their quest to do well during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

BAFANA Bafana's ability to keep possession of the ball for long periods augurs well for their quest to do well during the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

"Ball possession is a fundamental quality in the playing of attractive football," Local Organising Committee chairperson Irvin Khoza said yesterday.

This was after Bafana Bafana played to a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria on Monday at Orlando Stadium, where they pleased fans with their overall performance.

"There is a lot of improvement in the team. We are all waiting until the coach (Carlos Alberto Parreira) starts blooding the foreign- based players.

"Confidence is building up in the camp. It just proves that keeping players in a game for a longer time helps when you prepare for a big tournament."

With 15 days to go before the World Cup opening match between Bafana Bafana and Mexico on June 11, Khoza is happy their final preparations are going according to plan.

"Now that the construction of new and upgrading of existing stadiums has been completed, the big challenge we are faced with is to welcome people of the world.

"We've done everything to prepare for an exciting tournament that the entire continent of Africa and people of the world will be proud of.

"Our people are now energised, one can now feel the World Cup vibe. People have embraced the Football Friday and Fly the Flag campaigns.

"In addition, it is so good to see so many of our people wearing the Bafana Bafana replica jerseys on Fridays.

"Now many of them are wearing the jersey every day.

"We need to maintain that momentum so that people of the world can leave our country with positive experiences. We must offer our visitors the best hospitality."

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