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Teko Teko to change things against Thailand
Teko to change things against Thailand
Posted: 2010-05-14 12:19
Orlando Pirates midfielder Teko Modise reckons the series of training camps that Bafana Bafana have held have proved to be a blessing in disguise after a disappointing domestic season in which he battled to rekindle his form.
So bad was the season for Modise that he didn't score a single goal, but with expectations high for him to perform, he has rapidly readied himself under the expertise of Carlos Alberto Parreira.
"For me these camps have been a blessing in disguise," Modise explains.
"Starting from the camp in Brazil my confidence started going up, especially knowing that I have been given the responsibility of leading the team. It shows that the coach has faith in me and my confidence has been growing all along.
"All I need to do is work on a couple of things like everyone else and hopefully when the tournament starts, I will be sharp and back to my normal form.
I am intending to continue that record of winning games as captain on Sunday
- Teko Modise
"One of my personal targets is to play well for my country at the World Cup because it has been a while since I did well for the country. I view this as an opportunity that I must make use of."
Modise adds that the challenge of having been captain in the build up to the World Cup in the absence of Aaron Mokoena, has motivated him.
"Challenges that I have are to keep the team motivated because we are going to the biggest tournament ever staged in our country and we want to achieve certain things, like playing well and qualifying for the second round.
"Being the captain gives me the courage to lead from the front and we haven't lost a game since I became the captain.
"I am intending to continue that record of winning games as captain on Sunday which will also be great for the supporters. But on a more serious note this is an opportunity for me, going forward in the hope that I will be the permanent captain in the future," he says.
That Modise says he has his confidence back is clear in his words, but he has to transform that talk into action on the field, starting on Sunday against Thailand.
He is even anticipating scoring a goal himself.
"The friendly on Sunday might change a lot of things with regards to scoring goals; I might also start scoring goals from there.
"We will not underestimateThailand but instead will go in there and give our best. Nobody is guaranteed a place in the national team. We have to do our best at all times so that come June 11 we are at our best," says Modise while explaining more on the goal drought.
"We as midfielders, and not only me, feel really bad about not scoring goals because we tend to shift the blame on the strikers. We need to take the responsibility as well and start scoring goals as we have done in the past. We need that extra confidence to go and attack more and score more," says the Meadowlands born star.
Modise is not worried that the prospect of the squad being trimmed down to 23 in a fortnight's time may be of concern to the players in the squad, He says, in fact, they are looking up to all the foreign-based players arriving.
"I think because the guys have been in camp together for three to four months, everybody is confident that they will be part of the team.
"We are all aware of the reality that some players will have to be dropped when the final 23 is presented. I haven't seen any nerves as yet in camp, but we all know at the back of our minds that we have to work hard and give 110 percent.
"But you also have to understand that it is also up to the coaches. Like I said before, the coach is not going to cut down the squad because you didn't work hard, it's because the rules say so. I think if the coach had a choice he wouldn't be cutting down the squad.
"The foreign based players have been with the national team for a while and we all know what they are capable of doing. We really need them in the team, just like we need everybody who is good in the team. Steven Pienaar has been playing the best football ever and with him joining the team, the confidence that he has will rub onto all of us, and we need all the confidence that we can get for the tournament," he concludes.
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: 2010-05-14 12:54
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