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. Mokoena helped the cash-strapped Fratton Park outfit to an unexpected 2-0 victory over Tottenham in the semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.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.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.And he sees no reason why he cannot make the trip with an FA Cup winner's medal tucked in his hand luggage.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."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."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."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."Mokoena is suffering with a tight groin and is a doubt for Pompey's Premier League trip to Wigan tonight.The former Blackburn man is one of a large number of the squad nursing injuries and hoping desperately to be fit to face Chelsea.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.He said: "We don't really think about picking up injuries. Those things happen in football. We just want to play and win games."But now that we know we are no longer in the league, it should be the cup that matters most."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."

Source: Team_Talk