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 Parreira to plead for players' release
    November 19 2009 at 09:51AM Get IOL on your
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Bafana Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is determined to have as many of his Europe-based players as possible when the squad go into a month-long camp in Brazil in March to prepare for the 2010 World Cup.

Speaking after Bafana had drawn their second successive friendly 0-0 against a second-string Jamaica in Bloemfontein on Tuesday night, Brazilian 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 that I have to go to the clubs and speak to them.
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"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."

'I realise clubs are not obliged to release players in March'
Parreira said the reason Bafana did well by reaching the semifinals 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. I am still confident that with the right preparation, we will get into the second round.

"I plan to play at least six friendly matches in Brazil during the camp."

Parreira said that while he had hoped for wins over Jamaica and Japan - Bafana drew 0-0 with Japan 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 said he planned a camp for local players from January 15-28.

Another camp scheduled for Germany in April is still on and the Bafana coach is trying to get players released for that one 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 said that Pienaar would 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.

"

  • This article was originally published on page 28 of The Star on November 19, 2009

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Showing page 1 of 1 comment pages, 9 total comments
8 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
What about Quinton Fortune. he has recovered from injury and is putting in good performances. Ideally a striking midfielder, his experience and skill could improve our chances
11 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
Well said and fully agree to the few anonymous. If I was Carlos, I would do the same while it last, collect de MILLIONS and travel around the world on SA's expense. Sorry to say, SAFA has big big problems ahead.
11 Weeks ago Sello - Mymidrand.co.za wrote :
The competition is in South Africa, not around the world...we loose the plot just there!
11 Weeks ago Coach Thato T wrote :
Can't they just camp here at home? I don't want to see our players kidnapped by the Brazilians just before the world cup...
11 Weeks ago Nujoy wrote :
i guess Bafana Bafana will be staying at a hotel owned by Parreira's cousin, i admire Parreira, he is the robinhood of soccer, he doesnt forget where he comes from.
11 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
I'm sure he would not mine a trip around the world on SA's expense.
11 Weeks ago Soil wrote :
ha ha ha...! well said Anonymous!!!
11 Weeks ago Anonymous TRS wrote :
Who are those players that are abroad he is refering to ?
Makes you think eh! What a joke!!! Parreira must stop praising his predessor/succesor, Santana was useless to say the least, even he himself ia failure only lured to come back for the sake of the Rand!
11 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
It looks like the coach want to be at home for the Samba festival.
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