Madiba magic will be key for South Africa
Jun 08, 2010
IF South Africa’s World Cup dream is to last much longer than the group stages, Bafana Bafana’s success will owe much more to the ‘Madiba Magic’ than the excessive bonuses at stake.
By Frd Kaweesi
Pretoria
Friday, 5pm
South Africa v Mexico
IF South Africa’s World Cup dream is to last much longer than the group stages, Bafana Bafana’s success will owe much more to the ‘Madiba Magic’ than the excessive bonuses at stake.
Ideally, the four million rand and Mercedez Benz per-player bonus offer for winning the World Cup should be ample motivation but not to coach Alberto Parreira, the man who led Brazil to their fourth World Cup title in 1994.
The Brazilian manager received with watery eyes news that 91-year-old statesman Nelson Mandela would grace the opening match.
“His vibrations, his energy will be good for the team. We are proud and privileged to have him. I agree with (Fifa president Sepp Blatter) when he calls him the most iconic living man,†Parreira told The New Vision.
The Bafana Bafana paid Mandela a visit last Thursday. “I told Madiba that the team would perform with heart and spirit to make the country proud.â€
Pride is what Parreira has restored in Bafana
Parreira set Bafana on a progressive path during his first spell as coach, which began in 2007 but was disrupted when his wife fell ill with cancer in 2008, and he had to resign to be by her side.
“The self-esteem was down and people had lost faith in the team. My job has been to rebuild their belief and I am proud with what I see,†he said on his return.
Pretoria
Friday, 5pm
South Africa v Mexico
IF South Africa’s World Cup dream is to last much longer than the group stages, Bafana Bafana’s success will owe much more to the ‘Madiba Magic’ than the excessive bonuses at stake.
Ideally, the four million rand and Mercedez Benz per-player bonus offer for winning the World Cup should be ample motivation but not to coach Alberto Parreira, the man who led Brazil to their fourth World Cup title in 1994.
The Brazilian manager received with watery eyes news that 91-year-old statesman Nelson Mandela would grace the opening match.
“His vibrations, his energy will be good for the team. We are proud and privileged to have him. I agree with (Fifa president Sepp Blatter) when he calls him the most iconic living man,†Parreira told The New Vision.
The Bafana Bafana paid Mandela a visit last Thursday. “I told Madiba that the team would perform with heart and spirit to make the country proud.â€
Pride is what Parreira has restored in Bafana
Parreira set Bafana on a progressive path during his first spell as coach, which began in 2007 but was disrupted when his wife fell ill with cancer in 2008, and he had to resign to be by her side.
“The self-esteem was down and people had lost faith in the team. My job has been to rebuild their belief and I am proud with what I see,†he said on his return.