Germany Camp – Disaster?

April 26th, 2010 | by: Matt | View Comments

South Africa’s Germany Training Camp Just Getting Silly

Bafana Bafana’s much maligned Germany training camp has taken another turn into the farcical, with China pulling out of Wednesday’s friendly. Now the third team to withdraw from playing Bafana during this camp, no reason has been given for the Chinese back out.

Lower lever German sides Greuther Furth (2nd Bundesliga) and SpVgg Unterhaching (3rd) had already pulled out of exhibitions, but the match with China was meant to be a stern test, and overall the culmination of the time spent in the camp. A chance to consolidate all the ideas and work put in, and develop a product on the pitch. Now however, those who were questioning the value of the camp anyways will surely be shrill in their cries of what a waste.

All was not lost however, as Bafana did get in a friendly with World Cup bound North Korea, drawing 0-0. Solid in the back, which is good, but they really should be able to produce a goal against arguably the weakest team in the field of 32 this summer.

We will keep you updated on the China situation, hopefully Bafana will be able to slot in an alternate opponent, although this seems unlikely at such late notice.

So was the Germany trip worth it if no friendly can be arranged? It isn’t really for us to judge in my opinion. Yes, three friendlies were called off, which would have been valuable in working out the final product of what Parreira has been working on, but determining the value of the camp lies with the coaching staff. If they feel it was valuable, then fine, I am happy with that.

Your thoughts?