Mosimane: 'Fitness is key'
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Fitness is the key to Bafana Bafana's remarkable turn around since Brazilian head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira took charge last November.
But beating highly-rated Denmark 1-0 in an emotionally charged final warm-up clash, played in front of a packed Super Stadium in Atteridgeville on Saturday, was the World Cup “ice breaker” according to Bafana assistant coach Pitso Mosimane.
He stressed the win over 36th world-ranked Denmark was the right result at the right time.
“Denmark was our biggest test in the warm-up period. This was the ice breaker for the main event - our match against Mexico in the opening World Cup match at Soccer City on Friday (4pm)," said Mosimane.
"The Danes are a quality side full of top class professionals who play in the top European leagues. The bottom line is that Denmark also used this game to prepare for their opening World Cup match and did not come to the Super Stadium to lose.
"It was a hard and searching examination of our ability and qualities and we passed this test.”
Bafana have now gone 12 matches unbeaten under Parreira, amazingly with the same squad of players as those who floundered last year under Joel Santana. The South African Football Association were forced to step in and axe the unpopular Santana, who proved to be out of his depth at this level.
Mosimane explained the change in Bafana: “We have not changed the players. There was no need to. But what we have done is work on the players physical and mental strengths and both have improved a 1 000 percent over the past five months of camps we have had for the players.
"We have given the players back their self-belief and confidence. You cannot play professional soccer if you are not 100 percent fit. With that in mind, our priority in the camps (in Durban, Brazil and Germany) was to work on their fitness levels.”
Bafana have not suffered any muscle, groin or hamstring injuries under Parreira and fitness coach Francisco Gonzalez and that again backs up Mosimane's case that his players are in top physical condition.
Mosimane explained fitness helps build confidence and confidence builds a winning momentum.
“We have achieved a lot in the past few months. But our best achievement was getting the players fit to play at the biggest sporting event in the world. And this win over Denmark is the cherry on top of a hard five months of preparations.”
The fact Parreira dropped unfit and overweight striker Benni McCarthy from his squad and has said that Fulham holding-midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi's place in the starting line-up against Mexico is in question bears testimony to his determination to field a fully fit side in the World Cup.
Mosimane said while beating Denmark, Colombia and drawing 1-1 with Bulgaria in the past two weeks has helped build the squad, he stated that Mexico were a new ball game for Bafana.
“They are an incredible team. I struggle to work out their system, as they are so flexible. I watched them lose to England and Holland and on both occasions they did not deserve to lose.
"And then last Thursday they outplayed world champions Italy. Forget that they only won 2-1 (in Brussels) it could have been 5-1 - that is how much the Mexicans dominated.
“That was a warning that we cannot get carried away about going 12 games unbeaten. It has to count when it matters most and that is in the
biggest tournament of all – the World Cup. We will respect Mexico but we are not afraid. We have proved that we are side to be reckoned with.”
Mosimane also lavished praise on Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe “YeYe” Letsholonyane.
“YeYe is one of the players to benefit big time from this intense training. He has exploded onto the scene in the past few months and (against Denmark) he was named Man of the Match as a reward for his hard work.”
Orlando Pirates left back Lucas Thwala, who was considered at one stage to be behind Israel-based Tsepo Masilela in the pecking order played another stormer against Denmark and could start against Mexico.
“Masilela is still injured and Thwala has certainly put up his hand for a place against Mexico,” said Mosimane.
Striker Katlego Mphela scored the only goal in the 75th minute.
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