FRENCH football legend Marcel Desailly reckons that home advantage could work in Bafana Bafana's favour during the World Cup next year.
Desailly knows what he is talking about. France were in a similar situation 11 years ago and went on to win soccer's showpiece.
"(Bafana) players have not had high-level experience. The Confederations Cup was good exposure. The pressure is enormous, but they must not be afraid, they must use it to boost them," Desailly said during the launch of McDonald's World Cup sponsorship programmes in Cape Town yesterday.
The former Chelsea star, who was part of the 1998 World Cup-winning French team, and South Africa's John "Shoes" Moshoeu are the ambassadors of the fast food chain's Player Escort Programme that will afford 1408 youngsters the opportunity of escorting players onto the field.
There is controversy surrounding France's qualification for the World Cup, but Desailly reckons it will have died down by the time the tournament kicks off in June.
Obviously, Desailly is behind France but he had a word of caution for them.
"The players have got to take the responsibility. They are more individually gifted than the team that won the World Cup," he said.
Meanwhile, Moshoeu said all was not lost for Bafana Bafana.
"It has been rough for the boys, but we can keep the trophy in the country," he said.
Use home advantage, advises Desailly
FRENCH football legend Marcel Desailly reckons that home advantage could work in Bafana Bafana's favour during the World Cup next year.
Desailly knows what he is talking about. France were in a similar situation 11 years ago and went on to win soccer's showpiece.
"(Bafana) players have not had high-level experience. The Confederations Cup was good exposure. The pressure is enormous, but they must not be afraid, they must use it to boost them," Desailly said during the launch of McDonald's World Cup sponsorship programmes in Cape Town yesterday.
The former Chelsea star, who was part of the 1998 World Cup-winning French team, and South Africa's John "Shoes" Moshoeu are the ambassadors of the fast food chain's Player Escort Programme that will afford 1408 youngsters the opportunity of escorting players onto the field.
There is controversy surrounding France's qualification for the World Cup, but Desailly reckons it will have died down by the time the tournament kicks off in June.
Obviously, Desailly is behind France but he had a word of caution for them.
"The players have got to take the responsibility. They are more individually gifted than the team that won the World Cup," he said.
Meanwhile, Moshoeu said all was not lost for Bafana Bafana.
"It has been rough for the boys, but we can keep the trophy in the country," he said.