Bafana Update

Bafana Bafana coach Joel Natalino Santana is confident that his side will do well against Spain – the number one FIFA-ranked country in the world. The two meet tomorrow night in the last match of the group stages of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. Kick-off is at 20h30.

Speaking after the squad’s final training session at the match venue; Santana said he had no doubt South Africa can repeat what they did against New Zealand, “I expect a good quality performance from my side because I want them to play with confidence, with some personality, we know how strong the opposition will be tomorrow but I have confidence in my team – I cannot be a coward, it’s not my style,” said Santana.

Santana added that the match has the prospects of being exciting with two teams that are attack-minded.

Sitting beside Santana in the press conference, defender Matthew Booth admitted that Bafana Bafana were preparing for the biggest game of their lives, “it would be very disappointing if South Africa would not proceed to the next round, but in any case we haven’t even thought about not going through; We need one point but we mustn’t go with that mentality we must go all out for victory,” said Booth.

Booth is also well aware that he and defensive partner, Captain Aaron Mokoena, will be up against a lethal strike force in Fernando Torres and David Villa, “coming up against those two is a daunting task for any player, but we need to concentrate 110 percent and defend very well. New Zealand were naïve in their play against Spain, Iraq’s defensive plan worked well for them, Spain are a quality team and one chance they get they make the most of it, so we can be punished it we don’t concentrate,” said the towering defender.

Booth has also revealed that Egypt’s one-nil victory over Italy in yesterday’s clash has given the South Africans confidence but it has also added pressure that they have to deliver.

Following one draw and a win, Bafana Bafana have four points in two matches, while Spain has already ensured qualification with six points. The Spaniards are looking at equaling Brazil’s record of 35 matches unbeaten and a 14-match winning streak should they beat South Africa.

Spain is the team that knocked Bafana Bafana out of the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan with South Africa needing just a point to proceed to the second round of the competition.