BAFANA Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has put his head on the block: "South Africa will deliver during the 2010 Fifa World Cup."
BAFANA Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has put his head on the block: "South Africa will deliver during the 2010 Fifa World Cup."
Parreira said there was no way Bafana would be the laughing stock during the 32-nation spectacular, promising to turn them into an all-conquering team.
He said Bafana did not want to embarrass the nation by being the first host team to be eliminated in the first round.
The Brazilian said people must not read too much into the team's recent dismal performances, saying six months will be good enough to transform the squad.
"The pressure is massive for the team to qualify for the second round of the World Cup, but we are not afraid. We are looking forward to the challenges.
"We will be going to Brazil in March for an intensive training camp. People have been asking why Brazil. We are going there because it is a football country.
"The team will also be going to Germany for another training camp, where we will play at least three games against local clubs.
"The problem we have is that the majority of our overseas-based players are warming the bench. It is not good that we have only one player in the starting line-up. It does not make sense for these players to go abroad only to warm the benches.
"I want to take this team to the furthest in the World Cup. We will deliver and that's our message."
On the importance of playing at home during the World Cup, Parreira said: "Home ground advantage is important but you must be prepared."
Big names who turned up at Soccerex yesterday included Dutch legend Ruud Gullit, Mamelodi Sundowns boss Patrice Motsepe, Safa president Kirsten Nematandani, former Bafana coach Trott Moloto and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
Parreira is confident
BAFANA Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has put his head on the block: "South Africa will deliver during the 2010 Fifa World Cup."
BAFANA Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has put his head on the block: "South Africa will deliver during the 2010 Fifa World Cup."
Parreira said there was no way Bafana would be the laughing stock during the 32-nation spectacular, promising to turn them into an all-conquering team.
He said Bafana did not want to embarrass the nation by being the first host team to be eliminated in the first round.
The Brazilian said people must not read too much into the team's recent dismal performances, saying six months will be good enough to transform the squad.
"The pressure is massive for the team to qualify for the second round of the World Cup, but we are not afraid. We are looking forward to the challenges.
"We will be going to Brazil in March for an intensive training camp. People have been asking why Brazil. We are going there because it is a football country.
"The team will also be going to Germany for another training camp, where we will play at least three games against local clubs.
"The problem we have is that the majority of our overseas-based players are warming the bench. It is not good that we have only one player in the starting line-up. It does not make sense for these players to go abroad only to warm the benches.
"I want to take this team to the furthest in the World Cup. We will deliver and that's our message."
On the importance of playing at home during the World Cup, Parreira said: "Home ground advantage is important but you must be prepared."
Big names who turned up at Soccerex yesterday included Dutch legend Ruud Gullit, Mamelodi Sundowns boss Patrice Motsepe, Safa president Kirsten Nematandani, former Bafana coach Trott Moloto and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane.