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Dribs and drabs upset Baxter
22/03/2005 21:30 - (SA)
Billy Cooper, Daily Sun
Johannesburg - Stuart Baxter showed a lot of composure, but was not a happy coach as Bafana Bafana stars arrived in what he termed "dribs and drabs" to prepare for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Uganda at FNB Stadium (16:00).
Baxter had a "discussion" with three of his overseas-based players, who arrived from Europe on Tuesday morning and were taken to the training ground minus kit during the squad's training session at Sturrock Park.
Quinton Fortune (Manchester United), Shaun Bartlett (Charlton Athletic) and FC Copenhagen's Elrio van Heerden sat in the team bus while their team-mates were put through their paces.
But Baxter was quick to defuse and explain the situation: "It was a mix-up. The players should have gone straight to the hotel and rested rather than sit here and waste their time.
"It is annoying having players arrive in bits and pieces, but I have to put up with it.
"But, I will not use this an excuse for not being prepared. I simply must get on with the job."
Former skipper Mbulelo Mabizela was given permission to arrive late in the camp due to a bereavement. He joined on Tuesday.
FC Porto striker Benni McCarthy, sent off in a Portuguese league match against Sporting on Monday night, arrives on Wednesday and is the final player to join the squad.
But despite the problems, Baxter was pleased with his players during their first session on Tuesday in preparing for what is going to be a tough World Cup qualifier.
"That is the sharpest I have seen national players during the first day of a camp. This looks good for the rest of the week," he said.
- Daily Sun
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