Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson has given the club’s 16 day tour of South Africa top marks and says he’d be very keen to head back next season.
Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson has given the club’s 16 day tour of South Africa top marks and says he’d be very keen to head back next season.
As the squad returned to training in Perth, Ferguson was full of praise for the pre-season trip.
“There were a lot of positives,” he said.
“With 11 new faces in the squad, it was a great way to bond and get to know each other.
“We also got to play two good games against quality opposition.
“The training facilities were also good. The venue in Rustenburg was excellent and the players really enjoyed training at a first class facility.
“Training in South Africa also gave us the chance to try new formations and work on different tactics.
“The experience was great and I’d definitely be keen take the squad back to South Africa their for another camp.”
Away from the grueling training program that physically tested the players, the squad also immersed themselves with the local communities and visited unprivileged children.
At the end of tour, after the final training session, the players also donated all their training equipment to children from Durban.
“It was wonderful to see so many smiles,” Perth Glory striker Shane Smeltz said.
“Seeing the children down at training was great, they are so appreciative and I’m really glad we could make a positive contribution.”
For two local players, the training session in front of the Moses Mabhida Stadium was extra special with Zakhele Ngubane, 23 years old and Muzi Mshengu, 22 years old, invited to train with the squad.
Ngubane, a left-full back and Mshengu, a central midfielder both enjoyed enjoyed the two hour session, showing the natural and athletic qualities of African footballers.
With the tour providing Perth Glory with the perfect platform to prepare for the 2011/12 Hyundai A-league season, Ian Ferguson thanked the sponsors who supported the trip.
“Without the generosity of Komodo Capital and Continental Coal, this would not have been possible.
“There support of Perth Glory is very much appreciated.
“It was also great to see Jason Brewer take timefrom his schedule to watch our match against Platinum Stars,” Ferguson added.
