KAGISHO Dikgacoi has lost 6kg and says he's in fighting fit shape - it's just as well because come tomorrow's friendly international against Brazil the Bafana Bafana defensive midfielder is likely to be handed the job of marking emerging star Neymar.
Dikgacoi drew special attention from Igesund for the sharpness he's shown in training this week.
The Crystal Palace midfielder, who has become an integral part of Dougie Freedman's team when he's fit, was put on a special programme with the English Championship team's nutritionist in the pre-season.
"It's good to hear from the manager, giving out such good words," Dikgacoi said. "I've worked hard during the pre-season. It has been tough, but at the end of the day it gives out good rewards. And I'm hoping to stay injury-free and always be part of the national team and be there to represent them in the Africa Cup of Nations."
Injury-prone Dikgacoi, who also has a tendency of gaining weight when he's not playing regularly, had two grade two hamstring injuries that affected his place as Palace finished 17th in the English second tier last season.
This season the club has not started well, bleeding goals in four defeats and a single win. But Dikgacoi's form caught the eye of Igesund, including a goal in a 3-2 league defeat against Watford and a winner in a 3-2 League Cup success over Exeter.
The big midfielder can spread a pass well, though when his mobility is low can struggle with his marking duties. So it'll come as good news for Bafana that the man likely to mark Santos starlet Neymar is in top fitness.
Dikgacoi was part of the Bafana side that ran the Selecao close in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal at Ellis Park, conceding only in the 87th minute to a free-kick by Barcelona star Dani Alves, who is in Brazil's full-strength squad for tomorrow's clash.
He said it's sad Bafana have had a problem with player withdrawals this week. Steven Pienaar was withdrawn by Everton with a hamstring injury, despite playing 90 minutes against West Ham on Saturday. Anele Ngcongca did not pitch, with a letter from Belgian club Racing Genk only arriving on Tuesday to say the right-back was injured.
KG may have to mark Neymar
KAGISHO Dikgacoi has lost 6kg and says he's in fighting fit shape - it's just as well because come tomorrow's friendly international against Brazil the Bafana Bafana defensive midfielder is likely to be handed the job of marking emerging star Neymar.
Dikgacoi drew special attention from Igesund for the sharpness he's shown in training this week.
The Crystal Palace midfielder, who has become an integral part of Dougie Freedman's team when he's fit, was put on a special programme with the English Championship team's nutritionist in the pre-season.
"It's good to hear from the manager, giving out such good words," Dikgacoi said. "I've worked hard during the pre-season. It has been tough, but at the end of the day it gives out good rewards. And I'm hoping to stay injury-free and always be part of the national team and be there to represent them in the Africa Cup of Nations."
Injury-prone Dikgacoi, who also has a tendency of gaining weight when he's not playing regularly, had two grade two hamstring injuries that affected his place as Palace finished 17th in the English second tier last season.
This season the club has not started well, bleeding goals in four defeats and a single win. But Dikgacoi's form caught the eye of Igesund, including a goal in a 3-2 league defeat against Watford and a winner in a 3-2 League Cup success over Exeter.
The big midfielder can spread a pass well, though when his mobility is low can struggle with his marking duties. So it'll come as good news for Bafana that the man likely to mark Santos starlet Neymar is in top fitness.
Dikgacoi was part of the Bafana side that ran the Selecao close in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal at Ellis Park, conceding only in the 87th minute to a free-kick by Barcelona star Dani Alves, who is in Brazil's full-strength squad for tomorrow's clash.
He said it's sad Bafana have had a problem with player withdrawals this week. Steven Pienaar was withdrawn by Everton with a hamstring injury, despite playing 90 minutes against West Ham on Saturday. Anele Ngcongca did not pitch, with a letter from Belgian club Racing Genk only arriving on Tuesday to say the right-back was injured.