Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is determined to have as many of his European based players as possible when the
squad goes into a month camp in Brazil in March as he prepares for the 2010 World Cup.
Speaking after Bafana had drawn their second successive friendly
0-0 against a second string Jamaica at the Free State Stadium on
Tuesday night, Parreira said he hoped to get the likes of Benni
McCarthy and Steven Pienaar released for the camp.
"I will do whatever it takes to make sure we get as many of the
overseas based players released. Even if it means me going to the
clubs personally and speaking to those clubs.
"I realise clubs are not obliged to release players in March as
the dates do not fall on an official FIFA date, but I am going to
do my best."
Parreira said the reason Bafana did well by reaching the
semifinal of the Confederations Cup last June, was due to the fact
the previous coach Joel Santana, had the majority of players in
camp at least a month before the competition started.
"It is vital we get the right preparation for the World Cup next
June. I am still confident that with the right preparation we will
get into the second round of the finals.
"I plan to play at least six friendly matches in Brazil during
the camp."
Parreira said while he had hoped to score wins over Jamaica and
Japan who Bafana also drew 0-0 against in Port Elizabeth at the
weekend he was happy the spirit and confidence was slowly returning
after the side suffered eight defeats in nine matches before his
return last month.
Parreira also said he planned a camp for local based players from
January 15 to January 28, but said they were still discussing this
camp and at this stage it was on, but plans could change."
The other camp scheduled for Germany in April is still on and
Parreira is busy trying to get players released for that camp as
well.
Parreira said that goal scoring was a problem and some players
were clearly not match fit, such as McCarthy who gets little game
time with his English Premiership club Blackburn Rovers.
He added Pienaar will make the world of difference when he
recovers from injury that sidelined him for both his club Everton
and Bafana.
"Pienaar is a class act and has improved in two years at
Everton. I am looking forward to when he returns fully fit as he
will make a huge difference to this squad."