The NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) plans to take its team to South Africa for the 2015 pre-season tour.
Hosted by the South African Indoor Football Association (SAIFA), an affiliate of the South African Football Association (SAFA), the Hero Indian Super League will be there from September 1 to September 22, 2015.
A club official said the team will arrive in Durban to use the world-class training facilities next to the Moses Mabhida stadium. This stadium is one of the venues for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“I am very excited to have the pre-season camp in a country that has, firstly and foremostly, hosted a World Cup and possesses great facilities and wonderful people. I was there during the FIFA World Cup 2010 and I am familiar with the passion and lovethat South Africa has for this beautiful game. We will make the best of this trip with the team. The friendlies played will be against quality opposition teams, which will aid our preparation,” NEUFC Head-Coach, César Farías said.
The South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) supports football talent that often goes on to represent the country. Some even go to the English Premier League, La Liga and the Serie A.
NEUFC will play friendlies against both highly-rated PSL and SAFA-Under 23 teams over the three-week tour. Several members of South Africa’s Under 23 team received caps for the country.
“South Africa has a long love story with football and I am thrilled that our team will compete against high-quality opposition. The pre-season will be an excellent opportunity for our team to condition and for our Head Coach to strategize and assess the dynamics on the field. I would like to thank SAFA and SAIFA for agreeing to host us and providing our boys with this great opportunity,” Club Owner John Abraham said about the upcoming tour.
The pre-season tour team leaves on August 31 and return to the Club’s home ground two weeks before the first match.
Durban stadium, South-Africa
