ARGENTINA’S COACH VISITS SOUTH AFRICA

Argentina's head coach, Diego Maradona, and the Argentina Football Association delegation paid a 5-day visit to South Africa from 18-22 January to check training facilities for the national squad in Pretoria in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup which kicks off in June. The team’s visits included the University of Pretoria's High Performance Centre, two schools in Pretoria and another in Johannesburg. The delegation also met with FIFA officials during their visit.

After touring the facility and the grounds, Mr Maradona handed out caps and shirts to the University of Pretoria first and junior football teams, before watching Mamelodi Sundowns train and having a chat with their coach, Hristo Stoichkov. Mr Maradona said security was not a concern for him and was confident that all arrangements were in place. Tshwane 2010 chief executive Godfrey Nkwane was confident that the world-class facilities at the centre would benefit Argentina in their preparation.

Edited from: www.thestar.co.za 2010/01/19

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