FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
South Africa coach Philippe Troussier is nicknamed ‘the white witch doctor’ in his adopted continent and the Frenchman claimed on Tuesday his side were ready to conjure up a major upset against hosts France in their opening World Cup match. Troussier, who has spent 10 years coaching clubs and national teams in Africa, believes Aime Jacquet’s side will struggle to cope with the pressure being heaped on them in the build-up to the Group C match in Marseille on Friday.
“It can be difficult to play when there’s too much pressure and that could be a handicap for the French,” the 43-year-old said. “It’s really good for us that we’re playing France in the opening game and we’ve got a 100 percent chance. We will be able to play quite relaxed, with nothing to lose. Every year at the World Cup there are upsets and when we are standing there at 9 p.m. in the Stade Veldodrome anything can happen.” Speaking at his first news conference since the Bafana Bafana (The Boys) arrived in this peaceful spa resort, Troussier said the intense media scrutiny that his opposite number Jacquet now found himself under was inevitable.
“This is the nature of the job, and it can be very frustrating,” Troussier said. “Jacquet is keeping his options close to his chest and he is a strong man who sticks to his ideas.” Troussier again shrugged off concerns over the fitness of his captain Lucas Radebe, who has been struggling with a heel injury and missed Monday night’s first training session.
“Nobody is injured, at the moment everything is okay,” the coach said. “Radebe got a kick to his heel on Saturday (against Iceland) so I’ve taken this opportunity to give him a rest.” That is something the coach himself has certainly had little time to do since taking over from Jomo Sono as South Africa coach on March 1. Troussier had just helped African Nations Cup hosts Burkina Faso to fourth place and was suddenly faced with the task of turning South Africa into World beaters in a little over three months. “It’s not been easy and I’ve found it frustrating that the preparation was a bit short,” he said. “If we’d had two or three weeks more it would have helped but it’s been enough and I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens.”
In fact, South Africa’s hectic build-up has been typical of Troussier’s turbulent career.
He was fired by Ivory Coast for calling the football federation president a fool and South African club Kaizer Chiefs dropped him when players revolted against harsh training methods. Nigeria axed the Frenchman after accusations of technical incompetence and he was in charge of South Africa less than one week when local players complained of physical abuse.
The 43-year-old son of a butcher denies the charge, saying he provoked the players to see if they could handle the extreme pressure of a World Cup.
“My methods are aggressive because I’m worried about the players’ mental strength,” he said. “I could choose from 100 players in South Africa who are strong enough physically but I need to see who can take the pressure of a World Cup mentally and respond.” It’s like being a boxer, you must believe 100 percent you can win. He can’t step into the ring with his shoulders hunched and his head down. I want to see my players faces, their heads held high. “ That kind of mental toughness is certainly something the South Africans will need against France on Friday in the intimidating Marseille Velodrome, where they can expect a slightly less friendly welcome than the one they have been afforded at their training camp in France’s Massif Central.