Posted in News on Nov 13, 2003.
Four local players, John Moshoeu, David Kannemeyer, Jabu Pule and Patrick Mayo are all in North Africa for Bafana Bafana’s friendly against Egypt. Two foreign stars Sbusiso Dlamini of Swaziland and Malawian Patrick Mabedi are also with their respective countries for the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
Dlamini will be expected to play a crucial role when Swaziland play away to Cape Verde Islands while the same will be the case for Mabedi, as Malawi host Ethiopia. Coach Ted Dumitru says the technical team is trying to strike a balance.
"We have six players away on national duty and this happens just a week before our big match against Wits," said Dumitru. "The objective is to try and balance the situation hoping that all these players will be given some action and they will also have proper training. Finally and equally important we hope that they do not come back with any injuries."
"The squad has gone through some intensive training and we have also done some psychological work to psych them up for the game. We will also try to prepare solutions in case we have a problem with one or two of these six players," Dumitru said.
"It is a very tricky and complex situation. The players will be given a day off on Sunday because we have already done intensive training so far. Friday was another heavy day and it will be the same on Saturday afternoon," said Dumitru.
All the players will then converge on Monday including those who were on national duty. "We will then look at the line-up and start preparing the cup strategy and them put a smile on our faces with much optimism for the task ahead," he said.
The coach said the players were in a relaxed mood and the spirits very high. "We shouldn't worry too much about Wits," said Dumitru. "The idea is to make the opposition worry and we know Wits are worried. The last time we played them in Orkney in a league match we were extremely unlucky not to score at least two goals.
"It's a matter of time - in my opinion - before we can impose our authority over Wits. I am quite convinced that that opportunity will come when we play them in the semifinals," said Dumitru.
Meanwhile, the coach said goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez was given medical advice to have light training following his injury sustained during a car crash. It was not a serious injury but the player is not yet fully recovered.
"Rowen is in training and is doing his best. He is definitely going to be competitive enough to challenge Brian. Matshitse is progressing well after that broken toe injury and getting to a point where he will eventually start intensive training."
Dumitru also said the club was eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Derrick Spencer case which will be heard on Saturday. "He proves to be a very valuable addition for us and hopefully that case will go our way," said Dumitru.
