Vuvuzela South Africa

Carlos Alberto Parreira, Bafana Bafana Coach

Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Parreira is optimistic about his team’s success against Japan. Bafana Bafana take on  Japan in a friendly international match at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

And a Port Elizabeth Sangoma, Puseletso “Nkomiyahlaba” Maropane’, has predicted that Bafana Bafana will win by 2 –O.

Parreira – Bafana’s Biggest Challenge

Parreira’s biggest challenge will be in midfield where he needs to select a balanced unit that will give the necessary attacking impetus. And off course the strikers – who will he pair with Benni? Will it be Parker?

Bafana Bafana Can Win

Addressing a huge media contingent at the team hotel in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday (12 November 2009), Parreira said he believes his boys are up to it.

“We have to play our normal game against Japan, both sides have contrasting styles, but on the day it’s the team that will impose itself on the other that will win the match. We need to face this game with renewed confidence, we have to give our best and hope for a good start with a victory,” said Parreira.

Carlos Alberto Parreira

Bafana Bafana boss Carlos Alberto Parreira yesterday compared himself to former boss Joel Santana in a press conference.

“Me and Joel Santana are not too different, I just hope the players do not struggle to adapt to my way of doing things but our strength has always been technique, we cannot play physically because we don’t understand that style…we need to start winning matches again and building up a winning mentality starting against Japan,” said Parreira.
Captain Aaron Mokoena

At this media briefing, Parreira was flanked by Bafana Captain Aaron Mokoena and midfielder Elrio van Heerden – one of the trio of players in the national team who hail from Port Elizabeth. The others are Daine Klate and Kermit Erasmus.

“It’s really nice to be back home, and even better to be playing this match here in my hometown. I hope to get a chance on Saturday to also show what I can do in front of my home fans,” said Van Heerden.

Although Bafana Bafana have lost eight of their last nine matches – the win was against Madagascar! The boys seems to be full of confidence with a new (sort of) coach and brand-new Bafana jerseys. Oh and the Benni factor – wayward striker Benni Mc Carthy has been brought back into the fold to convert good play into points.

Japan Have Qualified for the World Cup

Japan have qualified for the 2010 World Cup and are on a reconnaissance mission to evaluate conditions in the host country ahead of the showpiece tournament.

Coach Takeshi Okada believes Bafana will offer his charges a stern test.

“We’re getting to play away, which is something we need to be doing,” Okada told reporters in Tokyo.

Image: Carlos Alberto Parreira, Bafana Bafana Coach – Safa

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