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Parreira: Enjoy yourself
11/10/2007 07:46 - (SA)
Johannesburg - "Enjoy yourself," was the sage parting advice of Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira to his 12 locally-based players before leaving OR Tambo Airport on Wednesday night for the momentous challenge against world champions Italy in Siena next Wednesday.
But, instead of winging their way to Italy, the group will join up with the 10 Europe-based members of the Bafana squad for five days at the modernised Adidas Herzogenaurach headquarters in the German city of Nuremberg for mental and physical preparation at what Parreira described "among the best-equipped venues in the world for the purpose."
"It is a privilege to be honoured with a game against the current world champions," said Parreira, "but it is not my intention to try and hang on grimly in a defensive mode hoping to squeeze a draw.
"Rather," added the Bafana coach, "I will tell the players to express themselves as best they can, demonstrate their skills and enjoy themselves during what will be an invaluable experience in the process of team-building for the 2010 World Cup."
Bafana, with SuperSport United's Ricardo Katza a late defensive replacement for the injured Bradley Carnell, will transfer to Italy on Monday for the game at the Frachi Montepaschi Arena in Siena - hoping to catch the world champions on the wrong foot for the game on Wednesday night (20:50 - kickoff) after their key European Nations Cup qualifier against Georgia five days earlier.
But, while Italian manager Roberto Donadoni may well rest some of his players after the important Georgia clash, his 22-man squad of talented Serie A stars are sure to put Bafana to the sword in what will be a test of temperament as much as anything else.
- SAPA
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