Parreira to ring the changes
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Bloemfontein - Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira will throw caution to the wind and go for broke when Bafana Bafana play France in their final Group A match at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday.
The Bafana Bafana mentor revealed that he will make five changes to the squad that lost 3-0 to Uruguay last week, but kept his cards close to the chest, refusing to even hint who are the changes, explaining that the changes will only be made public tomorrow as he still wanted to discuss them with his players first.
"I have an idea of the squad that will play tomorrow in my had," said Parreira at the media conference shortly after the team had gone on an hour-long exercise to stretch their legs and have a feel of the stadium ahead of a game that could either make or break their World Cup dream.
However, with Itumeleng Khune sent off against Uruguay, Moeneeb Josephs is an automatic choice to replace him. And with Kagisho Dikgacoi also receiving two yellow cards which means he is suspended for the match, Parreira appears to be opting for Lamontville Golden Arrows Thanduyise Khubobi for the holding midfield role.
There is also a distinct possibility that Surprise Moriri and Bernard Parker as well as Siyabonga Nomvethe could also start the game in what many suspect could mean that both Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Steven Pienaar could start the match on the bench. It is not confirmed yet, but observing their training session closely on Monday, it appears as if those are likely going to be changes with Matthew Booth also a distinct possibility to start.
Although the chaos that has engulfed the French team has grabbed international headlines following the ejection of Nicolas Anelka and the subsequent decision by the players to stage a protest and refusing to train unless Anelka was recalled, Parreira said they will not focus on what was happening at their opponents camp although they are hearing of their internal strife, which he stressed will not affect their planning.
"Mathematically we still have a chance to qualify," said Parreira. "Of course we have to pray that there is victory in the other game (Mexico vs Uruguay) and we win by at least a two goal margin. I do not want to even think that the two teams could play for a draw, they are much too proud to do that and in any case, they could be thinking that a win could guarantee them an opportunity to avoid Argentina if they topped the group.
"And so, we are hoping that they will go for broke as well but it out of our hands. What I can promise the South African public is that we are going to give it our best shot. It had been a tough group with two world champions, but we have to admit and accept that this is the World Cup and whoever is thrown against you, you must adapt and give it your best shot."
The French team is scheduled to arrive in Bloemfontein at 17:30 and they have no scheduled training session at a venue they will only see for the first time on Tuesday.
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