Everything appeared to be going right for Bafana Bafana when they arrived in the historic old German city of Bremen to begin preparation for Saturday’s vital away World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso.
Then, to put a spanner in the works, the South African contingent was dismayed to discover that most of the team kit was still in London, where the players had spent several hours in transit.
”It torpedoed coach Start Baxter’s plans for an immediate training session,” said Bafana general manager Stanley ”Screamer” Tshabalala, ”but at least we have been assured the luggage will all be in Bremen later tonight [Monday] and everything will be on line for Burkina Faso after that”.
Tshabalala said that contrary to fears that the weather in Bremen might be chilly and not ideal to prepare for the World Cup qualifier, the Bafana players were pleasantly surprised to find the conditions warm and sunny.
”Frankly,” added the Bafana general manager, ”everything is spot-on here and we have no complaints — except for the missing kit, of course.”
Tshabalala also confirmed that striker Siyabonga Nomvete has completed negotiations for a one-year contract with Swedish champions Djuegardens — but has already joined up with the rest of the squad in Germany.
”The only players who have not arrived at the camp are captain Aaron Mokoena, Sibusiso Zuma and Delron Buckley,” said the Bafana general manager, ”but they should all be okay.
”Mokoena is due on Tuesday morning, Zuma is in South Africa to attend a funeral and will join up with the squad in Burkina Faso, and Buckley is having treatment in Dortmund for what is described as a minor injury.” — Sapa