Opting for an outside field on neighbouring Kings Park instead of the main ground at the Kingsmead Soccer Stadium in Durban on Wednesday, Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter was able to get into the task in hand of preparing his side for the Cape Verde World Cup qualifier on Saturday without too much interference.
At the end of it, all he was able to say was: ”At last I had something to work with. The full squad was present and I was able to match 11 players against 11 players and sort out specific combinations instead of being frustrated as I have been all week with some no-show players.”
The last man to arrive on Wednesday morning was father-to-be central defender Nassief Morris, who stayed in Cape Town earlier in the week as he and his wife are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child.
Even goalkeeper Hans Vonk showed limited improvement from his back-muscle spasm, but goalkeeper Rowan Fernandez of Kaizer Chiefs will still be on the plane to Cape Verde on Thursday as a back-up.
Baxter said that problems encountered in recent Bafana Bafana matches have been thoroughly examinated, which means that he anticipates a great improvement on the first round against the islanders, won 2-1 by Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein.
He said four of the Cape Verde players who were in South Africa will again be involved in Saturday’s match.
Although obviously concerned about the state of the pitch on the island, he said Bafana Bafana know what to expect and are ready and willing to ”play their hearts out for their country”.
Baxter is hoping for a full haul of maximum points to ensure that South Africa are on track to participate in the World Cup in Germany in 2006.
”Nothing less is acceptable”, he suggested.
Baxter has not decided on his starting line-up, but he is confident that he has the players to the do the job.
”That is why they are in the squad,” he said with conviction.
He dismissed a suggestion that he has a surprise or two up his sleeve and said: ”No matter what happens, I go into each game believing Bafana Bafana can end up the victors. It is going to be a difficult game for all that, but I am a supreme optimist when it comes to Bafana Bafana’s football ability.
”Vonk looks okay. He is not really into it at the moment, but he is getting better each day.”
The last practice session ahead of the trip on Thursday was set for later on Wednesday afternoon. — Sapa