Bafana Bafana build upon Brazil in cold Germany

Hosts South Africa have spent the last two days adjusting to the cold weather in Germany and building upon their Brazil training camp in preparations for the 2010 World Cup.

After training for nearly a month in summer temperatures in South America, Bafana Bafana on Thursday completed their second day of training camp in rainy and chilly Germany.

“We cannot complain much. You have to understand that when the World Cup starts, it will be winter as well. So we can get used to it this way as well,” said South Africa midfielder Teko Moside following Thursday’s morning training session in Herzogenaurach.

Coach Carlos Albert Parreira has so far concentrated here on building up his African team’s fitness after their camp in Brazil.

“I don’t think there is any difference (between the two camps),” said Orlando Pirates star Moside, who was 2008 and 2009 South African PSL league Footballer of the Year.

“We are doing the same things we have been doing. I think there is just more emphasis now and focusing on the fitness of the players. So I think we will be doing more fitness than anything else.”

Moside hopes Bafana Bafana can take advantage of the lengthy preparations ahead of the World Cup – even if the team’s top players in Europe are not cleared by their clubs to participate in the camp.

“Fortunately we have a lot more time to prepare than other teams. But I just hope that with all the time we have had to prepare for the World Cup that the team will bring the results.

“Because what’s the point of preparing like this if you don’t bring the results,” said the 27-year-old, who has earned 40 caps for South Africa and scored nine goals.

The highlight of South Africa’s training camp, which runs until April 30, will be their friendly match against China on April 28.

The venue for the game has yet to be set.

One of the biggest smiling faces amidst the dreary German weather on Thursday was 32-year-old veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvete, who was called back to the South African side after playing his 72nd and last cap in October 2007.

“Oh, I am very happy to join the team, especially after being away for the last two years. I am very proud about this,” said Nomvete, whose recent run in South Africa earned him his nomination by Parreira.

“The important thing is to work really hard with the guys, to keep the concentration because we still have a long way to go.”

Nomvete, who has scored 15 goals for South Africa, including the goal in South Africa’s 1-0 victory over Slovenia at the 2002 World Cup, downplayed any high hopes in his return.

“I know a lot of people are expecting a lot of things. But the only thing I want to say is we have to work hard and concentrate. I cannot think about something that is said on the outside,” said the Moroka Swallows striker Nomvete.