McCarthy (centre) - happy with team spirit.
McCARTHY - SQUAD IN GOOD SHAPE
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South Africa striker Benni McCarthy believes the rekindled "family spirit"
under new coach Jomo Sono is a major boost to the Bafana Bafana's World Cup
prospects.
Sono's predecessor, Portuguese coach Carlos Quieroz, was sacked when the
under-performing South Africans were dumped out of the African Nations Cup by
hosts Mali.
But now Sono appears to have the squad brimming with confidence ahead of
Sunday's Group B clash with Paraguay in Busan.
"The spirit in the camp is good," said McCarthy, who is back with Celta Vigo
in the Spanish Primera Liga after a loan spell with Porto.
"We're a mixture of young and old and different cultures. Nobody's too big
for the team," he said during a break in training today.
"With Jomo it's always relaxed as that's his nature. You can have a whole lot
of fun. But then when it's time to get serious you give 300%.
"Once you come together you all understand the language of football and most
of us knew each other long before we went overseas."
McCarthy said he was unimpressed by a video of Paraguay's performance in their
recent 4-0 friendly defeat by England at Anfield.
However, Paraguay's eccentric skipper and goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, who
will miss Sunday's game through suspension, was not prepared to tempt fate by
criticising the South Africans.
"They are a solid side and we respect them very much," he said. "Many of
their players are based in Europe and have good experience of these type of
games."
Paraguay have a major injury worry after key midfelder Carlos Paredes pulled
up in training with a calf injury.
Although he is only 25 years old, Paredes, who plays for Porto, has won 41
caps and scored seven goals and his absence would be a real blow to coach Cesare
Maldini's plans.
There was better news however on playmer Roberto Acuna, who returned to
training today following a minor knee injury.
Ricardo Tavarelli, who will stand in for Chilavert against the South Africans,
gave his team-mates a scare when he appeared to injure a finger trying to stop a
free-kick, but was able to resume training after a few minutes.
PA International
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