Bafana can do it

18 June 2009

Bafana Bafana need to wear their red badge of courage and take
inspiration from the boys of 1996 when they face their acid test
against European champions Spain in their final Group A
Confederation Cup fixture at the Free State Stadium on Saturday
night. Kick-off is at 8.30pm.

Bafana last won a major trophy in 1996 when they lifted the
African Nations Cup on home soil, but just getting to the
semifinals of the "Festival of Champions", would be an incredible
achievement for the new breed of Bafana who have blown hot and cold
under conservative coach Joel Santana.

After a disappointing 0-0 draw against Iraq in the opening group
clash at Ellis Park last Sunday, they fought back to defeat New
Zealand 2-0 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium Wednesday, which revived
their hopes of a place in the semifinals.

Santana opted for attack against the All Whites and they could
easily have scored another three or four goals, had it not been for
some poor finishing from Terror Fanteni and Katlego Mashego.

Santana was roundly criticised in the media and by fans for his
negative approach in the Iraq match in which he persisted with
three defensive midfielders, and opted for his infamous "safety
first" tactics.

But he got the message and Bafana showed some real class against
the Kiwis.

Spain have already qualified after a 5-0 win over the Kiwis and
a 1-0 win over Iraq and will be trying to equal Brazil's 35-match
unbeaten run against Bafana.

Santana, however, does not care about records. "I only care
about getting Bafana into the semifinals. We showed against New
Zealand we are capable of playing good football and will treat
Spain as equals.

Bafana need a point off Spain to make sure of reaching the
semifinals. Iraq are fancied to beat the All Whites in the other
group A clash to be played at the same time at the Royal Bafokeng
Stadium on Saturday night.

But if Bafana should lose to Spain, the Kiwis will have to beat
or draw with Iraq to enable Bafana to qualify for the semis. If
Iraq should beat New Zealand - which looks likely - then the
semifinal berth could be decided on goal difference as both teams
would finish the group on four points.

The big worry for Bafana is this is New Zealand's third
Confederations Cup appearance and they have lost all eight matches
played so far.

But the All Whites coach Ricki Herbert, assured Bafana his
players want to go out with a bang: "We still want to break our
duck. The fact we have never recorded a point, hurts.

"We did not play well against South Africa, but I can promise
you we will do all in our power to beat or take a point off Iraq,
regardless of the fact we are out of the tournament.

Bafana assistant coach Pitso Mosimane, said he believed Bafana
could upset the much fancied Spaniards who are likely to rest their
key players such as strikers Fernando Torres, David Villa,
midfielders Xavi Hernandez, Cesc Fabregas and possibly keeper and
captain Kier Casella to keep them fresh for the semifinals.

Said Mosimane: "This win has done wonders and the confidence is
back. Not just because of the win, but playing well and getting it
right. I do not think we should worry about Iraq and New Zealand.

"We must worry about ourselves and keep believing. We can do
it."

Santana is likely to name an unchanged side against Spain, but
he will have to look at replacing out of sorts Fanteni who has
struggled in both matches, while his partner, Bernard Parker,
grabbed both goals against New Zealand and showed he has the big
match temperament needed for international competition.

Santana replaced Fanteni in the second half with Katlego Mashego
who missed three sitters late in the game. It is time to introduce
Kaizer Chiefs' versatile midfielder, Siphiwe Tshabalala, who can
also play as a second striker, alongside Parker.-Sapa