By Obakeng Maje
Bafana Bafana new cap Ricardo Nunes has joined the rest of the squad in the Polish capital of Warsaw in preparation for Friday’s friendly match.
The Slovakia based defender who was named among the 26-man squad to play Poland and Kenya in two away international friendly matches said he was excited to represent the country of his birth at international level.
The left back and free kick specialist plays his club soccer for MSK Zilina.
SAFA Media Officer, Matlhomola Morake caught up with him and filed this report.
Q: Tell us about yourself.
Ricardo Nunes: I was born in Johannesburg on 8 June 1986 and I left for Lisbon, Portugal when I was eight years old. My parents still live in Lisbon but I moved to the south of Portugal with my wife and four year-old daughter. Currently I am living in Slovakia where I play football for MSK Zilina. We are second on the table, three points behind the log leaders Slovan Bratislava who have 21 points. We are on 18. I play left-back for the club and I am known as a free-kick specialist. I have scored one goal so far this season from a dead ball situation. This is a skill I developed from a young age.
Q: How does it feel being called up for the South Africa Men’s Senior National Team?
RN: I was very happy when I heard that I have been called up to the national team of my birthplace South Africa. This is a very special moment in my life. I have been waiting for a while for this but I had to sort out my papers first with FIFA before I could accept the call-up. I spoke to coach Gordon (Igesund) and he is a great man.
Q: What are you hoping to achieve?
RN: I hope to help the country do well and win titles. But you must remember that football is not a one-man sport, so I am confident with the help of all the players we can do very well for the country. I am really looking forward to donning the national team jersey; I just can’t wait.
Q: What do you know about the national team?
RN: Reports I got say we have a good bunch of players that want to do well on the international stage. All I want is to give my best just like I do at my club and hope to get the results for the country.
Q: What do you know about South African football?
RN: I didn’t know much about South African football because we don’t watch it on television in Slovakia. I however, have checked some action on internet. There are lots of very skilful players and some of my current club teammates are from the African continent and they speak highly of the level of the game in South Africa. Now that I am here, I can’t wait to mingle with my new national teammates. I am very excited to be here.
Q: Are there any South African players that you knew before this camp?
RN: Only a handful hey; Lucas Radebe, who was a household name in England some years ago, I also knew of Mark Fish and Quinton Fortune because they played in England. Benni McCarthy was well known in Portugal while playing for Porto, Bernard Parker is in the news currently and I have heard of him as well. Calvin Kadi used to play at Portimonense in Portugal as well as Aaron Mokoena who was in England.
Q: What do you know about Poland?
RN: They are a very strong team and most of their players are based in Germany. They are playing at home, which makes them very dangerous but after seeing highlights of South Africa against Brazil I am confident that we have what it takes to beat them. If we continue from that performance in Sao Paolo, I have no doubt in my mind that there is a good chance of us winning the match.
Q: What do you make of South Africa hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
RN: I was very impressed with the organisation of the World Cup; more so after many had doubted the ability of the country. Many people from Europe were very enthusiastic from what they witnessed here; seeing the energy of fans at the venues blew their minds, the sound of the vuvuzela too.
Personal information
Full name
Ricardo Nuno dos Santos Nunes
Date of birth
(1986-06-18) 18 June 1986 (age 26)
Place of birth
Johannesburg,
South Africa Height
1.77 m (5 ft 9
1⁄
2 in)
Playing position
Left-back Club information
Current club
MŠK �ilina Number
77
Youth career
2001-2002
Estoril 2002-2005
Benfica Senior career*
Years
Team
Apps
† (Gls)
† 2005-2006
Benfica B 23
(1)
2006-2007
Lamia 30
(0)
2007-2008
AEP 25
(2)
2008-2010
Aris Limassol 32
(7)
2010
Olympiakos Nicosia 12
(1)
2010-2011
Trofense 7
(0)
2011-2012
Portimonense 17
(0)
2012-
MŠK �ilina 18
(1)
National team
2012–
South Africa 0
(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 September 2012.
† Appearances (Goals).
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