Bafana Bafana players were impressed by their new coach, Brazilian Carlos Parreira, after their first training session at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Monday morning.
”He looks good to me. He is like the person we needed for a long time,” England-based Blackburn Rovers player Aaron Mokoena told reporters after the training session.
Asked if Parreira could turn things around for the struggling Bafana, Mokoena said: ”It’s not only him, it’s about the players as well. Players have to show that they are determined to be in the squad.”
He said there is a lot that players can learn from the R1,8-million-a-month coach.
”He’s been around and worked with top players. He knows what we need … I’ll learn anything that I can pick up.”
Kaizer Chiefs’ midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi was optimistic about the future of the team.
”I expect to learn and improve … and become a better player. It is going to be okay; things will be okay.”
Parreira did not waste time in teaching Bafana players new tricks.
”Two touches, it makes the game faster,” he shouted during the Monday’s session focused on ball control, converting of crosses and finishing.
”We have not done much. He [Parreira] has outlined his plans … he likes to work with the ball,” Nkosi said of Monday’s session.
Players looked as if they were enjoying themselves as loud laughter was often heard from the pitch.
”We did enjoy it [the training session]. It is a good opportunity for us to meet Carlos,” Mokoena said.
The players were in high spirits and looked ready to impress their new coach, except for Kaizer Chiefs’ new signing, Simphiwe Tshabalala, who sat on the side under a small tent with an injury.
Mamelodi Sundowns’ Surprise Moriri and Dillon Sheppard later joined Tshabalala under the tent after they had run around the pitch.
The three watched as their teammates put together neat passes and took shots at Calvin Marlin and Rowen Fernandez in goal.
Parreira was impressed by his players on his first day.
”The session was good. We have intensity, quality and enthusiasm,” he said.
”Its starts today [Monday], but the big picture is 2010.”
Local players and two overseas-based players, Mokoena and Nasief Morris, attended Monday morning’s session.
Parreira said the rest of the overseas-based players are expected to arrive on Monday. — Sapa