Head coach of Bafana Bafana, Gordon Igesund, expressed his faith in his team ahead of their clash against the world class team, Brazil.
Bafana Bafana will face the 2014 FIFA World Cup host Brazil and five-time world champions Brazil in an international friendly match this evening at FNB Stadium.
Kick-off time: 19:00.
“We know that they are a world class team and we are prepared to give all in order to win the game.” said Igesund at the Press Conference held on Tuesday March 4. “We will take the game to them. The rain will have no effect on the players as the pitch will be wet which makes the ball move faster.”
He will be announcing his team today ahead of the clash and not as everyone expected yesterday. “I am not going to announce my team today (Tuesday) and give my hand away, Their coach for this match Carlos Parreira knows all the Bafana players and if I announce the team, they will be able to make moves that suits them fine.”
In the meantime Bafana received a lot of support from the ministry. South African President, Jacob Zuma, paid the team a visit on Tuesday and wished them luck in their international friendly match.
Minister of Sport and Recreation South Africa, Fikile Mbalula visited Bafana Bafana at the team hotel on Monday to wish them luck.
“I am here to encourage you to do well and I think this is the most representative squad of Bafana Bafana with all overseas-based players. I want you to do the nation proud by giving Brazil a tough match.
“We know that they are champions (having won the world cup five times) but I believe we can put up a very good fight against them. We are a winning nation as we have shown when we beat European and World Champions Spain, and our Under 19 cricket team have just proven that by winning the ICC u.19 World Cup recently.
“I know this team will bounce back when they face Brazil on Wednesday. I also urge fellow South Africans to come and fill the FNB Stadium to support the national team as they will be representing our country,” said Minister Mbalula.
The Minister is among a host of dignitaries that will be at the FNB Stadium to watch this match. The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Jacob Zuma will also be in attendance, so will be his Brazilian counterpart.
