Bafana needs their beat back

THE table is set for an extraordinary international friendly when Bafana Bafana, who was brushed out of CHAN in the first round earlier this year, take on the mighty team of Brazil.

The international friendly will take place at FNB Stadium on Wednesday March 5. The kick-off is at 19:00.

This match also serves as part of South Africa’s 20 years democratic celebrations. South Africa was host to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, while Brazil will be staging the 2014 FIFA World Cup. President Jacob Zuma will be handing over a torch to a representative of Brazil. The torch will be used as a symbol from one host to another for staging the FIFA World Cup.

The spectators are in for a treat as Bafana Bafana would not like to be up for a beating by world class team Brazil. According to the head coach of Bafana: “We would like to carry on with our performance when we beat the number one in the world, Spain. We have all our players from abroad in the team and they are up to the beat.”

Former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker is backing current coach Igesund to do well against five-time World Cup winners Brazil, when the two meet in a no-holds-barred confrontation. Under Barker, the Senior National Team narrowly lost 3-2 and 2-1 respectively to Brazil. He said a lack of experience denied Bafana Bafana what could then have been historic wins.

“I believe in both matches, first at the FNB Stadium, when we lost 3-2, having led 2-0 at halftime, and secondly at Ellis Park in the 2-1 loss. We could have come up with better results had we had a bit of experience,” said the Black Aces mentor.

The seasoned coach said one aspect which Bafana Bafana has to bear in mind was, regardless of names, that it would be 11 men against 111 men.

“One of the biggest shortcomings is to give too much respect to your opponents. Yes, Brazil has a star-studded team, but that means nothing once you walk onto the pitch,” he said.

Barker said he was impressed by Igesund’s boys when they beat Spain at the same venue late last year and said he was expecting a repeat of those heroics from the local boys.

Brazil will be using the match to launch their 2014 World Cup playing kit. They will use the home kit in the opening half and change into their away kit for the second half.

Bafana Bafana will also be launching their new limited edition Nike kit on the night.

In the meantime tickets are going for R50 (upper tier), R100 (lower tier) and R200 (middle tier). The spectators are urged to get their tickets as soon as possible and on match day make their way to the stadium as quickly as possible.

Comprehensive plans for transport and security system for Bafana Bafana/Brazil game were made public.

Addressing members of the media in Johannesburg on Friday 21 March 21, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Mr Wayne Minnaar said due to the historical congestion experienced during high profile matches of this nature, soccer fans should try by all means to avoid using private vehicles.

“We want members of the public to make use of a variety of public transportation to FNB Stadium. We also want to ask the public to arrive early at the stadium,” said Minnaar, who added that strict road closures will be in operation within the Nasrec precinct.

“Illegal parking, including pavement parking, will be strictly regulated and heavy fines will be imposed to all culprits. Use public transport, it will be cost effective, reliable and very efficient,” he said, adding that there was limited pre-paid public parking within the Nasrec precinct.

Meanwhile, Rea Vaya has assured members of the public that the park and ride services will be running at full throttle on the day of the match, and the public can make use of facilities at Constitutional Hill, Metro Centre, Westgate, UJ Kingsway and Indingilizi Rea Vaya Bus terminal.

The Metrorail will also provide four trains departing from the Park Station from 16:00 to18:00. The trains will depart soon after the match from Nasrec. The return ticket will cost R20, which includes secured car parking next to Park Station.

The pick-up and drop-off points for taxis will be Noord Street, Bree Street Taxi Rank, Baragwanath, Eldos, Dobsonville Police Station, Meadowlands Police Station, Phefeni Taxi Rank, Cross Road Taxi Rank and Dube Station Taxi Rank.

Gates will open at 16:00.