Superstar Neymar arrives in Joburg
Barcelona and Brazil striker Neymar arrived in Johannesburg on Monday night leading a group of European-based Brazilian stars who will take on Bafana Bafana at FNB Stadium on Wednesday.
Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 15, 2014. PHOTO: AFP
The match will kick off at 7pm.
Neymar was in the company of defenders Thiago Silva, Dante, Daniel Alves and Marcelo. The last arrivals also included midfielders Fernandinho, Paulinho and strikers Bernard of Shakhtar Donetsk and Hulk who plays for Zenit Saint Petersburg.
Neymar’s fans braved the wet Johannesburg weather to catch a glimpse of the Barcelona megastar, and one even managed to get an autograph before the player was quickly whisked away to the team bus.
This was the third and last batch of the Brazilian squad, and they joined the teammates Fred from Fluminense, Jo, a striker with Atletico Mineiro and goalkeeper Jefferson who plays for Botafogo.
The trio was the first group of players to arrive in South Africa, landing early Monday morning.
Chelsea’s quartet of David Luis, Ramires, Oscar and Willian jetted in a few hours later.
Brazil will have their one and only training session at the FNB Stadium on Tuesday at 4pm.
The South African duo Anele Ngcongca (Belgium) and Thulani Serero (Holland) also flew into Johannesburg late Monday to complete the 22-man Bafana Bafana squad. Earlier in the evening, Ayanda Patosi also arrived from Belgium.
– Sapa
