Source: Team_Talk
Mokoena gearing up for big summer
Aaron Mokoena hopes Portsmouth's FA Cup final date will prove the start of a great summer as he prepares to lead South Africa at the World Cup.[LNB] Mokoena helped the cash-strapped Fratton Park outfit to an unexpected 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.[LNB]The Championship-bound club, who became the first Premier League team to plunge into administration in February, will now tackle multi-millionaires Chelsea in the final.[LNB]Following his side's date with Carlo Ancelotti's side on May 15, Mokoena will fly back to his homeland to skipper South Africa at the first-ever World Cup staged on African soil.[LNB]And he sees no reason why he cannot make the trip with an FA Cup winner's medal tucked in his hand luggage.[LNB]He said: "I'll take this FA Cup final as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup. It's a dream come true for me to play in the FA Cup final.[LNB]"I've been involved in semis before, but to see myself in the final is amazing. It's great before the World Cup as well and will give me a real morale boost.[LNB]"We're playing against one of the best teams in the world, but it depends on who shows up on the day. Being in the final, anything is possible.[LNB]"It would be amazing for the club to lift that trophy and then take a winner's medal to the World Cup. It would be tremendous and hopefully it will happen."[LNB]Mokoena is suffering with a tight groin and is a doubt for Pompey's Premier League trip to Wigan tonight.[LNB]The former Blackburn man is one of a large number of the squad nursing injuries and hoping desperately to be fit to face Chelsea.[LNB]The makeshift central defender insists his side will give their all in the final five league games, but admits playing at Wembley is the top priority.[LNB]He said: "We don't really think about picking up injuries. Those things happen in football. We just want to play and win games.[LNB]"But now that we know we are no longer in the league, it should be the cup that matters most.[LNB]"We have to give respect to the league, play a strong team and give it our all. But, to be fair, the most important thing is the cup."
