Bafana Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira stated that 2010 would be the most important year in South African soccer history.
Speaking on Wednesday after he named 29 players from the Premier Soccer League for his first camp to start on Friday in Durban and run for two weeks in preparation for the 2010 World Cup finals on home soil in June, the former World Cup winner with Brazil said he was confident he could build a competitive squad to do the country proud.
“The whole world will be watching us when we play Mexico in the opening World Cup match on June 11. We have a tough group but I am confident we will get through this difficult group and qualify for the next round.
“I want to build a good spirit in the camp and stress to the players that those selected for the World Cup must enjoy the experience.”
Bafana will play a training match against Swaziland on January 23 at the Chatsworth Stadium and then meet Zimbabwe at the new Moses Mabhida Stadium on January 27 in a full international.
Parreira also stressed he would not be losing sleepless nights worrying about the three teams Bafana face in Group A of the soccer
showpiece in June. Bafana meet Mexico in the opening World Cup match at Soccer City on June 11 and then play Uruguay and 1998 world champions France to complete their group programme.
“I would go crazy if I had to worry about every team I played against. We will show them respect and work to cancel out their dangerous players and tactics. That is what my camps are all about.
But we are going to focus on our strengths and give the national team players confidence to go out against top sides and play their own game.”
After January’s camp, Bafana players reassemble in March where they will spend the month in Brazil. In April the squad will camp in Germany before their final camp at home in May.
Parreira has selected three of the South African under-20 stars who shone at the Youth World Championship in Egypt last September, the Orlando Pirates pair of Andile Jali (midfield), Happy Jele (defender) and Ajax Cape Town striker Thulani Serero.
Parreira has also included Mamelodi Sundowns impressive midfielder, anchorman Matthew Pattison, plus free-scoring Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder Tlou Segolela. Both have earned their call-ups.
Pattison has been in outstanding form recently for Downs. The 23-year-old, who was born in Johannesburg but played most of his career in England for Newcastle United and Norwich City, has become stronger and better as the season progressed. Pattison is going to push the likes of Fulham’s Kagisho Dikgacoi and Russian-based Macbeth Sibaya for the midfield holding role.
Parreira said he had selected the three SA under-20 players so he could get a good look at them during the two week in camp and emphasised that this squad was not a final one.
“The door is still wide open. I have not finalised the squad for the World Cup. This camp will give players a chance to impress the technical team. It is up to the players.
“I only want dedicated players who want to play for their country. My criteria in selecting players for this squad was not just on ability and skill but also on their disciplinary behaviour.
“This is the perfect opportunity for players to gain experience and bond with other national team players. This is a very important camp.”
Parreira said he would be travelling to Europe in a bid to speak to club managers and coaches with a view to getting certain players released for the camp in Brazil.
“I realise that a player like Steven Pienaar, who is key for Everton, will not be given time off for the Brazil or Germany camps. But there are others in England and Europe who I hope to get released for March including Benni McCarthy if he is still with Blackburn Rovers.”
McCarthy (32) is overweight, not fit and is struggling to get game time with his English Premiership side.
But Parreira still regards McCarthy highly. “Benni’s experience will be helpful in the World Cup. And, the camp in March, if I can get him released, will do wonders for his fitness and help our cause in June at the World Cup.” — Sapa
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Emile Baron (SuperSport United), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Matthew Booth, Siboniso Gaxa, Luvhengo Mungomeni, Innocent Mdledle, Siyanda Xulu (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould, Bongani Khumalo (both SuperSport), Happy Jele, Lucas Thwala (both Pirates), Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows)
Midfielders: Andile Jali, Teko Modise (both Pirates), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Franklyn Cale, Matthew Pattison (both Sundowns), Daine Klate (SuperSport), Siphiwe Tshabalala, Reneilwe Letsholonyane (both Chiefs), Thabo Nthethe, Tlou Segolela (both Bloemfontein Celtic)
Strikers: Gert Schalkwyk (Pirates), Katlego Mphela (Sundowns), Richard Henyekane (Arrows), Thulani Serero (Ajax CT), Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Pirates). — Sapa