This is a thread about South African Senior national team the "Bafana Bafana" host nation of the 2010 World Cup. Plz post any news involving the bafana bafana in this thread.

Bafana to tackle world champions
Brad Morgan

4 July 2007

Since taking over as coach of Bafana Bafana, Carlos Alberto Parreira has stressed the importance of playing friendlies against stronger opponents. His wish has been granted, with the South African Football Association releasing a list of forthcoming friendlies that includes a match-up against 2006 World Cup winners Italy.

The match, to take place in Italy on October 17, will be another stepping stone on the way to the 2010 Fifa World Cup, which South Africa will be hosting.

Previous meeting
Bafana Bafana has faced Italy only once before, falling 1-0 to the Azzuri in Perugia in 2001. Vicenzo Montella netted for the home side, while Hans Vonk saved a penalty in an outstanding performance in the South African goal.

The Italians are currently ranked number one in the world, with a comfortable lead over second-ranked France. South Africa is slowly climbing its way up the standings, but is still way back in 57th place.

Italy is sure to challenge South Africa's weakness when the two teams meet in October. Italian football is known for its outstanding defence; conversely, Bafana Bafana's strikers have struggled to capitalise on the chances the team has created. South Africa will have to improve its finishing to have any chance of beating the world champions.

Scottish challenge
Before Parreira's charges tackle Italy, they'll take on Scotland in Scotland on 22 August.

The Scots, in 23rd place, enjoy a far higher ranking than South Africa, but they did slip nine places in the latest Fifa rankings after two losses in their last three outings: 2-0 to Italy and 1-0 to Austria.

SA and Scotland have clashed once before, in 2002, with South Africa winning 2-0 against an experimental outfit in the four-nation Reunification Cup. Midfielder Teboho Mokoena netted just after the half hour to give Bafana the lead, and substitute George Koumantarakis sealed the win with a 90th minute strike.

Nelson Mandela Challenge
The United States has, meanwhile, been tagged to face Bafana Bafana in the Nelson Mandela Challenge in South Africa on 17 November.

The image of the USA as a football backwater no longer exists. The country boasts a strong league, the Major League Soccer, and the national team has been ranked inside the Fifa top 20 for some time now.

The Americans will be another of the stronger opponents Parreira spoke about. Ranked 16th in the world, they're above Africa's best, Ghana, which is ranked 19th.

Bafana Bafana last met the USA seven years ago, and it is an outing South Africa would rather forget. On that occasion the Americans romped to a 4-0 victory, with Koby Jones netting a brace.

Possible Saudi Arabia clash
A further friendly is on the cards, but has yet to be confirmed. The SA Football Association (Safa) is looking at a match against Saudi Arabia on 13 September.

Past fixtures between the Saudis and Bafana have produced one win, one loss and one draw for each team.

African Cup of Nations qualifier
Safa also announced that South Africa's final African Nations Cup qualifier, against Zambia on 8 or 9 September, will be played in Cape Town. The game will form part of the Confederation of African Football's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Thanks to a vastly superior goal difference, and a three-point advantage over the Zambians in the standings, South Africa is heavily favoured to qualify for the Nations Cup finals taking place in Ghana next year.

cape town hosting the mandela challenge and a bafana match...im sure some people were placing pressure on SAFA, dont expect good crowds at the bafana match

Plz update on the Mandela match.....we not gettin here.

Fifa ready to honour Madiba

Source:www.news24.com
http://www.goal.com/images/2220_news.jpg

Johannesburg - Football's ruling body Fifa is preparing to send out a powerful message against racism this week through a string of events to mark the 89th birthday of South Africa's anti-apartheid icon and former president Nelson Mandela.

A star-studded line-up of football greats, including Brazilian legend Pele, three-time African player of the year Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and former European player of the year Ruud Gullit, will tog out for a match in Cape Town on Mandela's birthday on Wednesday.

Hours before the match Fifa will hold a ceremony on Robben Island off Cape Town, where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison, to highlight the role of football in tackling racism.

During the apartheid era political prisoners on the island formed their own football association, entitled Makana FA, which adhered to Fifa rules.

Twenty former prisoners will join the visiting football stars and Fifa officials on the island to witness Makana FA being made an honorary member of Fifa.

"Nelson Mandela was once a pariah unjustly imprisoned by a racist regime, but he is now the world's most powerful symbol of non- racialism," Fifa president Joseph Blatter said explaining the initiative earlier his month.

"They (Makana FA) are a strong symbol of Fifa's fight to eradicate racism and all forms of discrimination from football and sport," said Blatter.

Say no to racism


Fifa introduced a "Say no to Racism" campaign as well as new anti- racism regulations last year to combat the growing problem of players enduring racist taunts from fans.

Later on Wednesday evening an Africa XI will line out against a Rest of the World XI at a match in Cape Town to honour Mandela.

Some 25 000 tickets for the game in Newlands Stadium had been sold by Monday lunchtime, according to Fifa 2010 Local Organising Committee spokesperson Dennis Mumble. The stadium has a capacity of 38 000.

Neither Blatter nor the elderly statesman himself will be at Newlands Stadium to hear tens of thousands of people sing Happy Birthday at an opening ceremony.

Instead Madiba, as he is usually referred to by his clan name in South Africa, will remain in Johannesburg where he is scheduled to announce the formation of a club of ex world leaders to tackle key global issues.

He will be flanked during his announcement by popular South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former US presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who are expected to be among the members of the new club.

The proceeds of the Mandela match will go towards social programmes, including Mandela's 46664 HIV/Aids awareness campaign named after his prisoner number.

Other big names set to take to the pitch include Liberian legend George Weah and South African defenders Mark Fish and Lucas Radebe. - Sapa-dpa

Special Fifa jersey for Madiba
17/07/2007 16:09 - (SA)

Source: www.news24.com

Johannesburg - Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Tuesday was given a football jersey as an early birthday president by football's controlling body Fifa.

In a statement Fifa said that Brazilian football legend Pele, three-time African player of the year Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon) and Fifa vice-president Jack Warner personally gave the present to the former political prisoner.

The official jersey for the Africa XI v Rest of the World XI match in Cape Town's Newlands Stadium on July 18 with Mandela's name and the number 89 on the back and featuring the 46664 campaign to raise global awareness about HIV and Aids on the front was given to Mandela in Johannesburg.

The statesman, who turns 89 on Wednesday, will further be honoured by Fifa with the football match.

"I am deeply honoured to receive this tribute from Fifa, but it must always be remembered that I was one of many who fought for freedom from tyranny and racism. It is fitting, therefore, that Fifa will also pay homage to the Makana Football Association on Robben Island," he said.

The Makana association is to become an honorary member of Fifa on Wednesday.

"During the dark years of our incarceration, the association drew together all the prisoners on the island around the beautiful game of soccer. In this way it helped uphold the values of tolerance, of inclusiveness and reconciliation, and of non-racialism and peace that are still dear to all of us today," he said.

An incredible moment


Fifa said they had discussed a number of topics including the 2010 Fifa World Cup, which will be hosted in South Africa, as well as his fight against Aids and discrimination with Mandela.

"I've always longed to meet Nelson Mandela. He has fought his whole life for equality and justice. It was an incredible moment to be able to speak with this great personality.

"Tomorrow (Wednesday), on the field, we will be standing in the line-up together to show a signal to the world. I'm going to tell the world that I have been here. I am very, very proud to be part of this historic event," said Eto'o.

Fifa said that Pele and Eto'o promised Madiba, as the statesman is popularly known in his country, to tell the world about their South African experiences and to contribute to the fight against discrimination and Aids.

"I have met a lot of great personalities in my life but Nelson Mandela is an extraordinary person. I am really touched and honoured to lead the Rest of the World team in his birthday match. I am a big admirer of what this man has achieved in his life," Pele said.

Fifa said that Jack Warner told Mandela that the organisation is looking forward to 2010 with great anticipation and is certain that it will be the best World Cup ever.

"It is a unique occasion for us to be welcomed by a living legend of democracy and anti-discrimination as he celebrates his birthday. The Fifa president is very sorry that he could not personally make it due to other commitments related to the international match calendar but he sends his heartfelt greetings," he said. - Sapa-dpa

Full house expected at 'Madiba' match
2007-07-17 11:53:42

Source: www.psl.co.za

Organisers of the "90 Minutes for Mandela" match, featuring an Africa XI against a Rest of the World XI, say 20,000 tickets have already been sold and a full house is expected at Newlands on Wednesday.


Numerous soccer legends will be paying tribute to Nelson Mandela, South Africa's former president, who celebrates his 89th birthday on Wednesday.

Speaking to SABC News, FIFA spokesperson Jerome Champagne said the game is in honour of Mandela's noble human ideals.

"It will be what we call an exhibition match, it will be for fun, it will be for togetherness, for the pleasure to be here in South Africa and for the pleasure to pay tribute to Mandela’s birthday.

"We cannot expect the level of football we can observe in a FIFA World Cup Final or UEFA championship final. It will be for fun, it will be a moment to be together," he concluded.

Radebe - 'Mandela's our hero'
2007-07-17 13:45:29

Source: www.psl.co.za

He is one of South Africa's greatest footballing export - spending 11 years at Leeds United and even leading the team that progressed to the UEFA Champions League semifinals in 2001. Speaking to FIFA.com Lucas Radebe reveals why he is delighted to put in his '90 Minutes for Mandela'.


FIFA.com: What did Nelson Mandela mean to you growing up?

Lucas Radebe: It was strange. We all knew who he was because of his role in the struggle, but we did not know what he looked like as the only pictures of him were out of date. There was a certain mystery surrounding him. He was our hero, our role-model, our leader in the struggle, our best hope of freedom. But we knew we could not be free while he was in jail, so we sang his name and protested against the apartheid regime. We trusted that he would become a great leader for our people, and so it proved. He is a great man ... the greatest South African.

You were sent to Bophuthatswana to protect yourself from your anti-apartheid activities ...

Yes, and for me to get a more rounded education. The schools in Diepkloof (near Johannesburg) where I lived were not suitable for me, the standard of education was poor and my parents wanted better. So in 1976 they moved me to Zeerust, away from the troubles on the street and into a better school. I did well there and went on a teachers' training college, but only stayed there about three months before Kaizer Chiefs signed me.

Do you remember the first time you met Madiba?

I'll never forget it! We were in camp at a hotel in Johannesburg in 1994 and had to get up at 5am to meet him. He walked into the room and all of the hairs on my back and arms stood on end. He had such an aura about him. I had goosebumps and was so nervous I could hardly speak. It was so different seeing him in the flesh to the pictures on television, but you could see the struggle etched on his face. It was a great privilege to shake his hand and though I have met him many times since, it remains an honour each time.

People often speak of the 'Madiba Magic' that has inspired South Africans in all sporting codes. Was it the same for Bafana?

Absolutely. Like I said, such is his presence that you felt compelled to perform for him and scared that you might let him down. He would often visit us when we were camped and give us a pep talk. It really gave us a great lift to know that he cared enough to take time out of his hectic schedule to talk with us.

How is your role as 2010 Ambassador going?

Our roles with the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committee are still being clarified, but I am extremely honoured and privileged to be of service to my country. We travelled to Germany during the 2006 FIFA World Cup and spoke to the media and people there about our excitement at showcasing our culture, infrastructure and friendliness to people from all over the world.

Do you enjoy playing in these charity matches?

I have missed the game so much since I retired in 2005; so much so that I even contemplated making a comeback. But I knew my knees would not be up to the task of playing at a professional level. But my boots are always ready to come out for games like this.

Are you excited at possibly renewing your central defensive partnership with Mark Fish?

Definitely! 'Fishy' and I have played together for such a long time for Bafana, and then against each other in England. I enjoy being on the same pitch as him and we complemented each other well.

You have previously stated that Pelé would be one of the first names in your all-time Dream Team XI, now you will be playing alongside him ...

It means a lot to me to share a field with one of the greatest players ever. Even at the age of 66, to see his skills, flair ... it will be wonderful - a great moment.

Do you have a birthday message for Madiba?

I would like to wish him all the luck and joy for the future. I look forward to enjoying the 2010 FIFA World Cup with him and hope that the younger generation in our country - those not involved in the struggle - will grow to know and love this living legend.

who won the game and the score?

3-3

didnt watch the whole game, but it went off pretty well, except for the ending where there was a pitch invasion.

Stars turn on style for Mandela

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They played to celebrate the life of an extraordinary man, so some of the world's best footballers weren't about to play an ordinary "90 Minutes for Mandela".

On Mandela's 89th birthday, an African XI and Rest of the World XI treated 35,412 excited fans - and millions more watching in over 150 countries worldwide - to an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Newlands Stadium in Cape Town.

Some of the game's biggest stars had come out to play for Mandela, among them Africa's brightest young star Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon, Holland's former two-time World Player of the Year Ruud Gullit, Liberia's 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year George Weah, Spain's Emilio Butragueno and former South African captain Lucas Radebe.

And they didn't disappoint, producing a high-quality game which was a fitting tribute to the iconic Mandela.

From Pele to Eto'o
Adding to the superstar quality on the night was the presence of the legendary Brazilian Pele. He may be well into his 60s now, but many of the crowd had still come to the stadium hoping to catch just a glimpse of the great Pele in action on the pitch. His turned out to be a ceremonial pre-match role, but the scenes of Pele and Eto'o running around the field, arms aloft, set the scene for a memorable night of football.

The African XI started the game with a strike pairing of Eto'o and George Weah, a duo which would have been more than a handful for any international defence. In his heyday, former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Weah was one of the most feared finishers in the game. He's now 40 and carrying considerably more weight than in his playing days, but in the game's opening minute the big Liberian turned back the clock with a burst of speed which left the World XI defence for dead.

His delicate chip beat Spanish veteran keeper Andoni Zubizaretta, but hit the upright.

The game's first goal, though, was a classy one after just six minutes from the World XI. Butragueno cut open the African defence with a pearl of a through ball, with Gullit wide on the right delivering the perfect cross that Chile's Ivan Zamorano nodded easily past goalkeeper Andre Arendse.

The equaliser was quick in coming just three minutes later, after an equally good passing move which featured Eto'o, former Zambian captain Kalusha Bwalya and Ghana's Abedi Pele, who finished the slick move after a pinpoint Eto'o cross.

The half-hour mark came a goal crafted in North Africa, with Tunisia's Zoubair Baya delivering another perfectly weighted ball for Hossam Hassan, who showed the predatory finishing instincts which made him Egypt's most-capped player and all-time top scorer.

Africans in charge at the half
The African team were better in the first half, putting together some lovely passing moves and looking the slicker and more determined of the two sides.

But when you're up against a highly motivated Gullit, still looking every bit the devastating player he was in his prime in the 1980s, there's always the chance of conceding a goal.

And indeed Gullit, by far the best World XI player in the opening half, deservedly equalised when he finished a move engineered by Butragueno and Iran's Ali Daei on the stroke of halftime.

Eto'o had promised the game of his life for Mandela beforehand and as sprightly and skilful as he was on the night, he found Spanish goalkeeper Andoni Zubizaretta in vintage form and denying him time and again.

Zubizaretta could do nothing against the evergreen Hassan though, with the Egyptian again on hand in the 49th minute to drill home a shot from close range.

The World XI, however, were determined not to be outdone and yet again equalised in the 73rd minute, courtesy of a great shot from Spaniard Julen Guerrero.

And, fittingly, that's how it finished...

A moment to savour
For the fans, it was an occasion to cherish and for the players too a chance to pay homage to a world leader and icon for whom they have the utmost respect.

"I got the opportunity today to realise a dream to be on the same field as Pele - a legend, a giant. And I also got to play next to great players like Ruud Gullit, my great friends and my seniors," said an excited Eto'o. "It was also a dream to sit next to Pele, to be able to talk to him and meet Nelson Mandela with him. You don't often get the chance to do things like that. It's really incredible."

"To play for Mandela was the greatest thing that could have happened to me," Weah added. "I was here. I was present. I got my souvenir and I am so happy to have been part of the festivities."

The night, though, was all about admiration for one of the greatest men of all. And the world of football certainly played its part in giving him a party to remember.

cool!

Hang on.... Bafana won!.......... against a side thats 45 places above them in the world rankings.... & it was their first team! .............. & no there was NO FOOD poisening!

South Africa produced a performance of class and composure not seen for many years to thrash highly rated Paraguay 3-0 in an international friendly at the Super Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Goals from Surprise Moriri, Benni McCarthy and Siphiwe Tshabalala saw Bafana Bafana defeat South American opposition for the first time in what was undoubtedly their best performance under coach Carlos Alberto Parreira since the Brazilian took charge of the team a year ago.

A promising opening from the hosts was almost capped with a spectacular long range goal from Teko Modise in the seventh minute, but Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar got a hand on the midfielder's 30-yard drive and deflected it onto his crossbar.

Four minutes later Paraguay showed their aerial threat, with right winger Edgar Barreto picking out Roque Santa Cruz with a fine cross but the Blackburn Rovers striker could only glance his header well wide.

In the 12th minute Lance Davids sent a rasping low drive just wide of goal after some excellent build up play from Bafana Bafana. The hosts cut their South American opponents open again four minutes later, but McCarthy made a terrible hash of his attempted volley after a superb cross from Bryce Moon.

Paraguay were dealt a major blow when Santa Cruz was forced into an early shower after a crunching tackle from his club-mate Aaron Mokoena, but his replacement, Oscar Cardozo, showed his class in the 26th minute with a superb piece of control and some quick thinking to allow Nelson Romero a shooting chance. Itumeleng Khune was equal to the effort though, diving high to his right to keep out the powerful drive.

Just past the half hour mark Bafana Bafana deservedly took the lead with a superbly constructed goal. Some slick passing bought wingback Tshepo Masilela space down the left flank and he beat two defenders before picking out Moriri with a clever cross. The Sundowns player controlled the ball on his chest before smacking a volley into the back of the net from 12 yards out.

Nasief Morris almost gifted the visitors an equaliser just a couple of minutes after Moriri's goal, allowing Romero to rob him of possession just outside the penalty area but Khune did well to make a low save from the striker's shot.

Just a few minutes before half time Tshabalala had the chance to add a second for South Africa, after good work by Modise and McCarthy, but the Kaizer Chiefs winger pulled his shot wide of goal.

Khune made another fine save on the stroke of half time, smothering Jonathan Santana's low shot that skidded through a mass of players in the penalty area to ensure the hosts were still 1-0 up at the break.

And two minutes into the second half, South Africa made it 2-0. A superb shimmy saw Moriri buy himself some space on the left wing and he hung in a lofted cross that allowed McCarthy to run in and bury a header past Villar.

The goal saw McCarthy move clear at the top of Bafana Bafana's all time scorers list, with 30 strikes for the national team.

In the 50th minute Barreto tried his luck from a free kick 30 yards out and his dipping shot went just over the crossbar, with Khune launching himself to his right in an effort to get a hand on the ball.

Just past the hour mark Tshabalala made it 3-0, curling the ball over Villar from just outside the penalty area after some good combination play by Moriri and McCarthy.

Cardozo had two good efforts in the last quarter for Paraguay, but the tall striker put his two powerful shots just off target.

South Africa: Khune, Moon, Morris, Mokoena, Masilela, Davids (Mbuyane 68'), Dikgacoi, Modise, Tshabalala (Parker 82'), Moriri (Walaza 69'), McCarthy (Fanteni 77')
Coach: Parreira

Paraguay: Villar, Bonet, Manzur, Morel, Caceres, Toledo (Roman 45'), Santana (Burgos 74'), Barreto, Riveros (Achucarros 53'), Romero (Caceras 66'), Santa Cruz (Cardozo 24')
Coach: Martino

is it april fools yet?

Why are you calling this sport "soccer"???????? Everybody knows this is football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

^^Yes but in SA we've come acustom to calling it soccer, its not a big deal like how it is in Europe because our national side sucks, hence the comments after I posted the article of us winning.

ya they actually played really well was a good game

It was a great game and bafana deserved to win. Lets hope this victory gives the team the confidence and belief to pull off more performances like this in the future. Congrats bafana!!

i cant believe Bafana won a socer match against a rather good team. Flipping heck, a team that is leading the South american WC challenge. lol, and 3-0, good on the team!

Now please build on this and dont let it be just a blip on the radar

See what having a benny mccarthy type player on this team does.....u need experience to compete at the world level. Keep building till 2010.

Any news when our next match is?

Why are you calling this sport "soccer"???????? Everybody knows this is football!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suggest you take your dictionary or better yet, just go and check wikepedia for a definition of football and you will see that its also called soccer in other parts of the world. so deal with it buddy.

:ohno:

Any news when our next match is?

I'm not sure.

Rio de Janeiro - South Africa's Brazilian soccer coach Carlos Parreira has decided to give up his post and is set to return to Brazil in early May, his wife said in comments that Brazilian daily Folha de Sao Paulo published on Friday.

"He already made the decision. He intends to return to Brazil early next month," Leila Parreira said in the interview, confirming rumours of recent days.

Parreira's wife said her husband was still in South Africa - the host country of the 2010 World Cup - negotiating the terms of his exit, which she said was due to personal reasons.

Leila Parreira explained that the man who led Brazil to its third World Cup trophy in the United States 1994 and also to a resounding failure in Germany 2006 misses his family.

In a recent interview with Brazilian media, Parreira, 65, complained that he was too far away from his daughters and his grandchildren.

"It is very hard to bear," he said.

Rio de Janeiro - South Africa's Brazilian soccer coach Carlos Parreira has decided to give up his post and is set to return to Brazil in early May, his wife said in comments that Brazilian daily Folha de Sao Paulo published on Friday.

"He already made the decision. He intends to return to Brazil early next month," Leila Parreira said in the interview, confirming rumours of recent days.

Parreira's wife said her husband was still in South Africa - the host country of the 2010 World Cup - negotiating the terms of his exit, which she said was due to personal reasons.

Leila Parreira explained that the man who led Brazil to its third World Cup trophy in the United States 1994 and also to a resounding failure in Germany 2006 misses his family.

In a recent interview with Brazilian media, Parreira, 65, complained that he was too far away from his daughters and his grandchildren.

"It is very hard to bear," he said.

Is this true or is it some april fools joke?

Looks true to me...

Parreira ‘resignation’ a major blow
Sapa Published:Apr 19, 2008



Carlos has already made the decision.

Shocked World Cup Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan said from an International Leadership meeting in Zambia he had been "inundated with calls from media sources from all over the world" that Carlos Alberto Parreira had resigned as Bafana Bafana coach.

And, if confirmed, the loss of the celebrated coach who was hired at an awesome salary package of R1.8 million a month to prepare Bafana Bafana for the hosting of the 2010 World Cup would be a huge blow to South Africa’s aspirations.

News of the pending departure of the coach, who can boast among his varied glittering achievements guiding Brazil to the World Cup title in 1994, initially emerged in a DPA report from Rio de Janeiro quoting Parreira’s wife, Leila, saying: "Carlos has already made the decision.

He intends to return to Brazil early next month as he badly misses being separated from his family."

It has also been apparent that a spate of baseless and ignorant criticism in the media and other sources regarding his methods -- which recently dramatically began to bear the fruit he had promised -- had incensed and frustrated Parreira.

It would also be surprising if the crime epidemic, Eskom’s power crisis and the ongoing hitches in progress towards the 2010 World Cup in numerous areas had not weighed heavily on his mind.

But whatever the exact reasons, from a soccer point of view the departure of Parreira would be a calamitous blow to Bafana’s World Cup preparation - with no one likely to be more upset than the squad of burgeoning players he had begun to mould into a formidable combination, as emphasised in the slick 3-0 victory over 26th world-ranked Paraguay in South Africa’s last fixture.

A terse SA Football Association (Safa) CEO, Raymond Hack, said he had no comment to make on Parreira’s reported resignation at this juncture - but he would be issuing a statement in the next day or two.

As for a replacement in the light of the resignation reports, it is likely that Safa would delve into the overseas market initially in an effort to lure a coach of the Brazilian’s calibre and repute to South Africa - falling back on local officials only if such a coach is not available.

"Badly misses being seperated from his family". What rubbish. I reckon he's just getting out now with all the money that he's earned from his inflated salary so he can spend it all in Brazil.

His a prick, SAFA new they were taking a risk bringing him here, he wanted a quick buck & looked for any excuse to pull out. Thats why he demanded high pay immeaditly, no other coaches will do that, they will prove their worth first with the squad.

haha this guy just used SA money and quit...haha....he is an overrated coach ....anybody can coach brazil to a world cup win lol...thats the only shyt he has ever accomplished.

Santana confirmed as Bafana coach

Santana was recommended for the job by his predecessor, Parreira

The South African Football Association (Safa) has confirmed the appointment of Joel Santana as national team coach.

Safa say that their chief executive, Raymond Hack, will leave for Brazil this weekend to finalise the contract and other legal requirements.

"I'm confident about the task ahead of me," said Santana.

"I believe my experience in working with many top clubs will assist in preparing the team for the big challenge ahead," added the Brazilian.

Santana is expected to arrive in South Africa on 9 May to begin the task of coaching the 2010 World Cup hosts.

The 59-year-old replaces another Brazilian, Carlos Alberto Parreira, who announced his decision to resign on Monday to spend time with his ill wife.

Santana said he was unhappy to be leaving his Brazilian club Flamengo but was delighted with his new job.

He (Santana) told that me that he will earn in 30 months more than he has earned in the last 30 years

Kleber Leite

"These things happen once in a lifetime," he said.

"Quitting here is difficult. I'm heartbroken, but I am a professional."

Flamengo vice-president Kleber Leite said: "He (Santana) told that me that he will earn in 30 months more than he has earned in the last 30 years.

"His dream is to coach a national team at a World Cup."

Santana is recognised as a journeyman professional with a good track record in Brazil.

He has little international experience, apart from brief stints with clubs in Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Parreira, 65, had been hired to prepare South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

He put together a young and inexperienced team, which suffered a series of poor results and was eliminated in the first round of the African Cup of Nations in Ghana earlier this year.

As a result, they slumped to 71st in the Fifa rankings, but they beat Paraguay 3-0 in a friendly last month.

Parreira, whose resignation takes effect from 2 May, will continue as technical advisor, while his two assistant coaches - Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane - will remain part of the set-up.

Parreira recommended Santana to Safa, and says that: "He is a specialist in winning championships and has coached great Brazilian players like Romario, Bebeto and Juhnino just to name a few.

"I believe he will provide the continuity that is so crucial in preparing the team, especially with Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane remaining to assist," said Parreira.

Its amazing how dumb SAFA think the SA public are, they knew about the Parriera's resignation 2 months ago, yet when reports broke, they acted like they never heard anything about it before, now it turns out that a month ago Parriera convinced SAFA to hire Santana to take over from him, but they tell the media that they will only confirm who will get the position in the next month, yet they already flying the contract down to him, those fools need to catch a flippin wake up.

At least the hiring of another brazillian will mean continuity in tactics and structures

SAFA at its best, SAFA in Zulu means we are dying ;)

^^LMAO makes sense now!

Santana confirmed as Bafana coach

Santana was recommended for the job by his predecessor, Parreira

The South African Football Association (Safa) has confirmed the appointment of Joel Santana as national team coach.

Safa say that their chief executive, Raymond Hack, will leave for Brazil this weekend to finalise the contract and other legal requirements.

"I'm confident about the task ahead of me," said Santana.

"I believe my experience in working with many top clubs will assist in preparing the team for the big challenge ahead," added the Brazilian.

Santana is expected to arrive in South Africa on 9 May to begin the task of coaching the 2010 World Cup hosts.

The 59-year-old replaces another Brazilian, Carlos Alberto Parreira, who announced his decision to resign on Monday to spend time with his ill wife.

Santana said he was unhappy to be leaving his Brazilian club Flamengo but was delighted with his new job.

He (Santana) told that me that he will earn in 30 months more than he has earned in the last 30 years

Kleber Leite

"These things happen once in a lifetime," he said.

"Quitting here is difficult. I'm heartbroken, but I am a professional."

Flamengo vice-president Kleber Leite said: "He (Santana) told that me that he will earn in 30 months more than he has earned in the last 30 years.

"His dream is to coach a national team at a World Cup."

Santana is recognised as a journeyman professional with a good track record in Brazil.

He has little international experience, apart from brief stints with clubs in Saudi Arabia and Japan.

Parreira, 65, had been hired to prepare South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

He put together a young and inexperienced team, which suffered a series of poor results and was eliminated in the first round of the African Cup of Nations in Ghana earlier this year.

As a result, they slumped to 71st in the Fifa rankings, but they beat Paraguay 3-0 in a friendly last month.

Parreira, whose resignation takes effect from 2 May, will continue as technical advisor, while his two assistant coaches - Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane - will remain part of the set-up.

Parreira recommended Santana to Safa, and says that: "He is a specialist in winning championships and has coached great Brazilian players like Romario, Bebeto and Juhnino just to name a few.

"I believe he will provide the continuity that is so crucial in preparing the team, especially with Jairo Leal and Pitso Mosimane remaining to assist," said Parreira.

What an ironic name! :)

Just thought id highlight in the suitable thread the brilliant form of our national soccer team over our last 5 matches. 5 wins! and not only wins. The team is gelling with beautiful carpet football. We completely outclassed zambia even though we only won 1-0 and often made them dizzy with brilliant passing and linking runs. Santana, despite not looking it, is doing somethin right. Lets hope the form continues and improves into confed so these guys can make us proud.

It's surprising yet awesome and it seems as if the public are starting to sit up and take notice. Excellent timing might I add.

Apparently Santana is the first coach to take Bafana to a five game winning streak... ever

It was good to see him speaking English finally even though it wasn't so good, but at least he's making an effort.

Oh and i was pretty impressed with the crowd attendance as well. Things seem to be looking for Bafana... finally

Yeah, all the critics are over and all the firepushers are lips down with shame. has anybody realised? in those last 5 games, 75% of the players are localy based. we hadly missed the international players in the Zambia game. talk about depth.

Sheesh, looks like I have to eat my own words with this one, well done Mr Santana

Apparently Santana is the first coach to take Bafana to a five game winning streak... ever

It was good to see him speaking English finally even though it wasn't so good, but at least he's making an effort.

Oh and i was pretty impressed with the crowd attendance as well. Things seem to be looking for Bafana... finally

When a winning team starts playing beautiful football, crowd attendances go up!

Bafana 2010 squad takes shape
Jonty Mark
February 06 2009 at 06:44AM

Related Articles
Bafana berth for Booth?
Rowen wants Bafana place back


Joel Santana has named a strong 24-man squad to face Chile in an international friendly next Wednesday night, one that gives the clearest indication yet of the group of players that will represent Bafana Bafana at the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup.

Bafana's Brazilian coach has preached consistency of selection since he arrived in the hot seat last year, and gave ample evidence here of his recent statement that he is now "70 to 80 percent" certain of the players that will have the glory of a nation in their hands in the coming months.







Even players severely lacking match practice were included, as Santana maintained the majority of the squad that had taken part in last year's Nelson Mandela Challenge win over Cameroon.

Midfielder Lance Davids made a substitute appearance for SuperSport United in Wednesday night's victory over Bay United, but otherwise has had no competitive football since the end of November.

'Even players severely lacking match practice were included'
Defender Matthew Booth, who signed for Sundowns this week, and midfielder MacBeth Sibaya, have also barely kicked a ball in anger since then.

Yet all three still got Santana's nod.

"We are concerned about Sibaya, Lance and Booth," admitted Santana. "But players can get in condition quickly, and we'll monitor their fitness. We'd like to maintain the team that played against Cameroon and Zambia. We are forming a group and want to keep players we already know. And these players know what we expect from them."

Of the 24 players, the main differentials are goalkeeper Calvin Marlin and defender Lucas Thwala.

Marlin has been in fine form for Mamelodi Sundowns, and with Itumeleng Khune injured, deserves his place, though it seems strange that Santana persists with erratic Moeneeb Josephs instead of fit-again Rowen Fernandez.

"Rowen has a lot of experience and is very important to us in the national team," insisted Santana yesterday. "But he has been out for months and we need to see him back and playing."

Thwala is another natural choice after some excellent displays for Orlando Pirates. The powerful defender may even strengthen the squad ahead of injured veteran Bradley Carnell.

Elsewhere, Sundowns' Surprise Moriri returns, while Mabhuti Kanyeza is handed another chance after misfiring against Zambia last month. New scoring sensation Bernard Parker also remains in the squad ahead of the likes of Thembinkosi Fanteni.

Leading goalscorer Benni McCarthy and captain Aaron Mokoena should arrive in good spirits after both scored in Blackburn Rovers' 2-1 FA Cup win over Sunderland on Wednesday night.

In-form Steven Pienaar of Everton ought to be another plus, provided he turns up, after missing the Cameroon match with a questionable injury.

The game in Polokwane kicks off at Peter Mokaba Stadium at 8.30pm

Chile have a superb young side currently fourth in South American World Cup qualifying. They beat Argentina in Santiago last October.

Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Calvin Marlin (Sundowns), Moeneeb Josephs ( Pirates)

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa, Morgan Gould (both SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Lucas Thwala (Pirates), Masilo Madubi, (Westerlo, Belgium), Aaron Mokena (Blackburn Rovers), Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos, Greece), Nasief Morris (Recreativo de Huelva)

Midfielders: Kagisho Dikgacoi (Arrows), Lance Davids (SuperSport), Teko Modise (Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Sundowns), Siyabonga Nkosi (Maccabi Netanya, Israel), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Ruban Kazan, Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala, (Chiefs), Elrio van Heerden (Club Brugge, Belgium), Lefa Tsutsulupa (Swallows)

Strikers: Benni McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers), Bernard Parker (Red Star, Belgrade, Serbia) and Mabhuti Khanyeza (Ajax Cape Town).

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD NEWS
Fortune favours chance to play in World Cup

February 5, 2009
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Former Manchester United star Quinton Fortune has set his sights on next year's World Cup after joining Belgian minnows AFC Tubize on a six-month loan.

The South Africa midfielder joined the Jupiler League side earlier this week after falling our of favour with Italian second-tier club Brescia.

"I am happy to be here," he told Sporza. "Why Tubize? I want just to play football again. Then, why not here?

"In the beginning, Tubize's interest was a little bit strange, I've never heard about the club.

"But after, I was convinced. Tubize is a marvellous club. I was glad to play for Manchester United. Now, I dream to play the World cup in my country, South Africa."

The 31-year-old player hopes his experience can help the team who currently sit 15th in the 18-team division.

"I am not (Lionel) Messi, nor Pele or (Diego) Maradona but I can bring to Tubize my experience and my mentality," he added.

"I come to Tubize with my family and I will learn French. I already understand Dutch.

"When I was 17 years old, I came to Belgium, when I was trialled by Club Bruges."

Geez wat happened to our team?????

Before it used to be only local teams included, mainly kaizer and pirates.

NOW most of them are internationals playing for teams such as Blackburn and Everton!!

:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

we have mximum 3 players. that's hardly a majority :)

Watch Van Heerden, folks! Finally got rid of an injury and is playing better and better. Very talented player.

we have mximum 3 players. that's hardly a majority :)

No we have 11 international players out of the 24 players playin in our team (actually 12 if you count Matthew Booth in, who played overseas in Russia but decided to come back home to Sundowns). But you right not a majority... YET!! :banana:

pity we have lost to chile last night :(

Yip but I hope the guys learnt.Chile is a very good and strong team. The guys did whatthey could but Chile was a better team.

pity we have lost to chile last night :(

Nothing to be ashamed of. Chile is a very good side and they do what most top national teams are not able to do, thats they dont let an opposition play their normal football. They beat Argentina last month and their position in the FIFA rankings is good. number 2'something. We are still a good team, we were just not able to play our normal soccer.

Eish this guys are fast and strong.

BUT MOKOENA??!!!!??!

Substituting Tsutsulupa was not a good action from our coach

Chile is a very good team in their last game they beat Argentina with a beautiful team goal.

bIVDS6cO4uY&feature=related

Chile is a very good team in their last game they beat Argentina with a beautiful team goal.

bIVDS6cO4uY&feature=related

Eish that No.7 !

Nothing to be ashamed of. Chile is a very good side and they do what most top national teams are not able to do, thats they dont let an opposition play their normal football. They beat Argentina last month and their position in the FIFA rankings is good. number 2'something. We are still a good team, we were just not able to play our normal soccer.

Eish this guys are fast and strong.

BUT MOKOENA??!!!!??!

I couldn't watch the whole game as I fell asleep on the couch as I was very tired. Tsutsulupa is good and I think he will even be much better once he spends sometime with the guys.

Those boy arent serious, too much showing off with ineffective skills by benni and modise, we werent direct enough, other than that we have a very good midfield.

But why... why do we still insist on playing Mokoena... why?

LONDON, England (CNN) -- It is an unwritten rule of all World Cups: if the host nation fails on the pitch, interest in the competition dies off the pitch.


South Africa crashed out of the 2006 African Cup of Nations without scoring a single goal.

As the 500 day countdown to the 2010 World Cup begins, most commentators have focused on South Africa's preparedness, with the country's vast unfinished stadiums causing concern in some quarters.

But far more worrying for the country's fans is the state of the national football team. "Bafana Bafana" -- or "The Boys" - have recently plummeted down the Fifa rankings.

Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Chile in a friendly game at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in South Africa, and the lackluster form the team showed have led many to wonder whether they will be the worst host nation in the tournament's history.

Bafana Bafana has gone from being one of Africa's great hopes in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups, and winning the African Cup of Nations in 1996, to not qualifying for the 2006 tournament in Germany. Since then, they appear to have been on to a losing streak.
See South Africa's rocky road to 2010. »

In 2006, they exited the African Cup of Nations without scoring a single goal. Another early African Cup of Nations exit followed in 2008 before the team failed entirely to qualify for the 2010 regional tournament.
The failure was even more embarrassing given that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had decided to run simultaneous qualification for both the 2010 African Cup of Nations, to be hosted in Angola, and the World Cup.

Although South Africa automatically qualified for the 2010 World Cup as hosts, the team still failed to make it to the final qualification stage.

Will "Bafana Bafana" make it to the World Cup second round? Have your say

It was a low point for the team. After hitting 16th on the Fifa rankings in 1996, their highest ever, 2008 saw the team plummet to 80th.

The decline can be attributed, at least in part, to a constant revolving door of managers and a decline in the number of players plying their trade at the highest level. Since 1997, South Africa has gone through 12 managers in 12 years, with some of the best in the game failing to get the best out of their charges.

Philippe Troussier, who guided Japan to the finals, and Carlos Queiroz, the Portuguese national coach, have both floundered. Brazilian World Cup winner Carlos Pereira fared no better, before quitting last year due to family problems.

"The biggest threat to [the] 2010 [World Cup] is the anemic state of the national football team," explained Achille Mbembe in his column in South Africa's Sunday Independent when news broke that South Africa had fallen to 80th on the Fifa rankings.

"If the current downward spiral persists, the nation's performance in 2010 will be an embarrassment for Fifa and a source of shame and humiliation for the entire continent ... the truth is that South African players are simply not good enough to make it on the world stage," he added.

The team's failure is even stranger given that the game is hugely popular and the national Premier Soccer League is the richest and best organized on the continent.

And yet all hope is not lost and some small, fragile green shoots of recovery are poking through. Current coach, the Brazilian Joel Santana, had presided over five straight victories, before Wednesday's loss to Chile, two of which were against regional powerhouses Cameroon and Ghana. This gave them a boost in the Fifa ranks and they now stand at 74th in the world.

A handful of the team's star players are also beginning to hit form.

Everton's Steven Pienaar has arguably been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, Blackburn's Aaron Mokoena has excelled in a struggling team. Striker Benni McCarthy has been brought back in from the cold after regular arguments with a succession of coaches at both national and international level.

As the 500 day countdown to the 2010 World Cup begins, most commentators have focused on South Africa's preparedness, with the country's vast unfinished stadiums causing concern in some quarters.

What the fuck?

Effin CNN. They obviously don't use skyscrapercity...

They don't know what they are talking about.

Thats the the problem with this guys and most of the international media. They are less informed and say too much of what they dont know. The problem is with their power of publicizing, a lot of people are going to believe them. i have posted a comment in the article. Hope they see it. Fools.

sigh other issue. they should use their eye to see the stadium They will eat the hat if bafana make to 2nd round...

By the way this is not first thing nation host exit 1st round. look at history of fifa on wiki. USA didnt make to 2nd round in Fifa world cup 1994.

^^ yes they did...they lost to brazil in the second round 1-0

What I do is.

I e-mail the editor or journalists.
Show them how incorrect they are and then suggest that they contact me if they would like factual information with regards to the stadia.

They never reply to find out the factual information.

If this doesn't get you excited about our national team, i don't know what will.

http://www.backpagepix.co.za/live/imgadmin/getimage.php?id=64574&type=c

http://www.backpagepix.co.za/live/imgadmin/getimage.php?id=64582&type=c

http://www.backpagepix.co.za/live/imgadmin/getimage.php?id=64575&type=c

awesome thank TUGZ. mandela is my role model. Bafana must win!!!!

^^Cool.

Benni has started with his stories again.

his a prick, end off

HE says his injured, Blackburn say his fine, if he hates SA so much, he shoudl f*ck off, change his dumb Cape Town accent and buy a fake UK one like Madonna (whos in Malawi adopting another child :ohno:)

Id like to see how he gets out of this one.

Well he's being replaced by Katlego Mashego, who in my opinion is much better than Benni... Blessing in disguise i tell you.

benni is past his best anyway. no use in dragging everyone's spirits down. get the new guys in there.

A 2-1 win over the relatively unknown Norwegian soccer team still warrants a "Up yours,Benni!" from me.

^^they got some good players in their squad so it is a good win against decent opposition. This very team beat Germany last.

Hey, this is a great win - new strikers, 2 goals against very organised european defence. Don't downplay it - it is a strong step up.

Norway has some great players. i think they're underestimated in general and maybe they just underestimated us. Sweet boys. Now onto Portugal.

Portugal will crush South africa ...mark my words!

Portugal will crush South africa ...mark my words!

Portugal has been doing quite poor as of late. Their in danger of not even qualifying. But they do have a top class squad.

They were held to a golless draw by Sweden over the weekend. They will underestimate SA, and will wake up with their bums in the mud. Mark my words Dennis.

Sjoeeeee a great win against Norway! Now please beat Portugal on wednesday.

Benni se gat. Great win by Bafana.

we might lose to portugal but it's the way we play that matters to me.

Sjoeeeee a great win against Norway! Now please beat Portugal on wednesday.

& break girly boys legs in the process :D

The Norwegian team is the only team that has played Brazil without ever losing to them.

Gulliver, exactly how many times have Brazil played Norway? ...also, its not easy for those poor Samba boys to see an orange ball in the snow!

Portugal won't quite surely play in the world cup, after this tie against Sweden, which is bad news for me and for South Africa, as there are thousands of portugueses living in South Africa and many portuguese South Africans that have returned to Portugal and that were counting on returning to South Africa for this World Cup to watch there team and to see how South Africa has changed. and if they liked the newSouth Africa they would certainly think of staying. As for the match against Portugal, there weakness is really only scoring goals, for there mid camp is surely in the world top 3, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco and Simao Sabrosa. I will certainly be supporting South Africa.

lol, Portugal got a top team, Ive never seen them play under their new coach, only under Scolari, but they look pretty organised.

Bafana Arrive In Switzerland
29 March 2009

The National Senior Team arrived in Switzerland to a rousing welcome from South African supporters based in that country and a modest morning temperature of 6 degrees. A sizeable crowd of South African fans blew vuvuzelas and almost brought the airport to a standstill with an enthusiastic and inspired chorus of shosholoza, the theme song of SA football.

The crowd, old and young hugged and praised their Bafana Bafana heroes for a job well done in the 2-1 win the previous day, when we overcame Norway to retain the Nelson Mandela Challenge at Rustenburg's Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng on Saturday.

There were good wishes for the Team to overcome Portugal in a Friendly Match to be played in Lausanne at 8.45pm on Tuesday, 31 March 2009.
After signing autographs and posing for photographs, the Team then drove by bus to their base camp in Lausanne. The Team will have a training session at the gymnasium of their Lausanne hotel at 6pm today.

1-0 already...gosh.I have a test to study for tonight anyhow.

Portugal will crush South africa ...mark my words!

Nostradamus.....or more like DennisRoDamus

2 nil....

Plz, i would hardly call 2 nil a crushing... especially taking into account most (no make that all) of those Portuguese players are used to playing in those conditions... Just let them come to SA, trust me. Norway had to learn the hard way. :)

Dont understand why they play in Lausanne while Newlands stands empty.

2-0 is not a crushing. We were beat fair and square but dang, if you consider that a crushing you must find the most boring of games very interesting!

2-0 is not a crushing. We were beat fair and square but dang, if you consider that a crushing you must find the most boring of games very interesting!

What do u know about soccer....if i ask u a soccer trivia right now u wont know...nuff said

2-0 is no whooping. That said I'm sure South Africa is disappointed with the result.

its not crushing....but they when i said that i didnt mean crushing them 10-0...but its like saying portugal will destroy SA...or whallop SA.

ah damn bafana :( seem bafana has a weak defese. hope they do well in Conferderation cup...

What horrible playing.
They're about 15m from the goal area and they keep passing back and in two passes they are back at their own goal area!

Please somebody tell me you saw that they keep passing back!!! Nobody moves forward.
Passing is shoddy!

Portugal were far from their best.

We constantly have four players at the left sidelines hogging the ball and getting squeezed by the Portuguese(not a terrible thing!!)

Portugal was not playing the best of footbal and so did we. We were supposed to have panished them but as always, the guys were not put the required pressure. Well the weather conditions might have played a role but I think we still lack finishing touches. After seeing Portugal playing, I must honestly say that I wouldn't be suprised if they do not qualify for the 2010 SWC.

Yes and Portugal, was really far from there best, for Cristiano Ronaldo didn't do absolutely nothing since he entered. And if he had started as well as Simao with Deco, they sure would have made much more damage. In South Africa I liked to see Twala and Morris and didn't like Mokoena. South Africa doen't know how to defend, they try to mark individualy, when they knowing of there weakness should be defending on block. And the other aspect I saw, was that they aren't able to make 3 passes consecutively without loosing the ball. And loosing right from the beggining I think they should have changed there tactics to put to strikers instead of only having one upfoward.

Overall a disappointing performance. I'm glad we're playing these matches so that we get a grip on reality and realise how much is still needed for improvement ahead of FCC

Yes and Portugal, was really far from there best, for Cristiano Ronaldo didn't do absolutely nothing since he entered..

Thats because Twala was absolutely perfect. Ronaldo had to shift side to the left. Look at how he marked Nani out of the game.

Chabalala and Modise were not at their best and whole team was so scared and lacked self believe.

Somebody tell me why Lance Davids played for the whole 90 min. The guy was lost in the pitch.

Why are we holding on to Mokoena as our central defender? This guy just cant do the bussines. Remember how he cost us at the AFCON?

Morgan Goud and Khumalo from SSU are far better, olny underrated.

We still have a chance to get Mokoena out if we really want to go to the knockout stages of the WC.

Bafana have one major weakness and thats defending set-pieces, if we can get that right we might have a chance.

Seems like it was a good thing that I didnt watch the game

What do u know about soccer....if i ask u a soccer trivia right now u wont know...nuff said

What does that have to do about my knowledge of soccer? I couldn't give a flying duck about soccer to be honest, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that a 2-0 defeat is not a "crushing."

Agreed, the scoreline wasn't too bad, 2-0 to a top 10 team is ok and not a "crushing". But the performance was woeful, that much can be said.

SA must just focus on hosting a great 2009 Confederations cup and a even better 2010 World Cup.
We dont have a soccer team of a "world class" standard, so lets accept that and focus on the games. It would be nice to see Bafana doing well and winning a few games, im sure this would shock the world.... However i do wish them well as they participate in both these events, and will remain a proud South African.
(My opinion that im allowed to have, so chill)

bafana use to be good back the mid 90s....

Yes I also think the bafana bafana played better back in the 90's. I just hope that SA wins some matches to pass to the second round, so that they dont enter in the records as the worst host team in a world cup, which I think belongs to Japan in 2002. But everything is possible, for the ball is round, just see the result of yesterday Bolivia 6 Argentina 1

japan in 02 and usa in 94...both lost in the round of 16

This is SA, the land of Possibilities.

Benni's side of the story
2009-04-09 17:39

Johannesburg - Blackburn Rovers striker Benni McCarthy has finally spoken about why he did not join the national team for two recent friendly matches against Norway and Portugal.

In the latest issue of Soccer Laduma, McCarthy says he did his part and that SAFA should have done theirs.

"Of course I told them (Safa) what the situation was. I spoke to the manager. I spoke to the team doctor and everything was okay from their side. The next day I was all over the papers for dumping my national team!"

he explains the injury that stopped him from joining Bafana Bafana:"I got injured, I had a hamstring problem. I went for a scan because the club thought it was serious but results showed it was nothing serious. It wasn't torn, but there were little fibers that were aggravated that had I played could have led to me tearing a muscle in my thigh or tearing my hamstring."

The Cape Town born marksman feels the lack of support he received from Bafana officials lead to him being slated by the media and fans alike for not honouring the call up.

"I mean, come on! You know, as far as I'm concerned, I did my part, they had the facts, they knew why I didn't come and if they don't want to protect me or defend me then I accept that and it's out of my hands what gets said about me in South Africa.

Rovers gave their number 10 permission to join Bafana but he refuses to play with pain numbing injections which were apparently recommended.

"Yes, they said I could take an injection which would numb the pain and I would be able to play. I ain't taking injections to play for nobody. Santana (national team coach Joel Santana) never told me I had to come and get looked at by the national team doctor. Nobody said that. To me it seemed like they took my word for it and besides, I don't need to make up a story about having an injury."

He justified why he did not travel to SA for the first friendly against Norway that Bafana won 2-1.

McCarthy says he wants to be fit for the Confederations Cup and that is why he also did not want to take a chance with his injury.

"I can't afford to be out for six months with a torn hamstring, trying to recover quickly so that I can arrive at the Confed Cup in one piece. I want to come to the Confed 100 percent, no niggles, confident in my body that I can do the job for my country?"

Hardly two weeks after setting aside national team duty, the Rovers top scorer - 11 goals to his credit in all competitions - played a full game and scored in Rovers 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspurs last Saturday.

"I lived at the club for the last 10 days and when you spend 10 hours at the club each day rehabbing the injury, getting the proper machines on your injury then you are going to heal quicker. On the day of the game I still felt a little something, but my club is not in a position to be losing any games and all the players are needed. The club staying up is vital because it's the livelihood of a lot of people," he explained why he could turn in a good performance for the Riversiders who are 14th on the English Premiership table.

With Benni - as he is popularly known - seemingly fit and confident of playing in the Confederations tournament in June, it's up to the coach to call up or shelve the 74 time capped hitman who can, no doubt, produce the goods when needed, or is that, when he wants to?

Red Star Belgrade striker Bernard Parker and Orlando Pirates midfielder Teko Modise are in good form for their clubs so Santana does have proven goal scorers, but none can match McCarthy's exploits on - and off - the field.
.................................................................................................

I cant help but believe the guy, only because SAFA has a track record of incompetence.

Eish, i dont know who to believe now

i do think that the media is biased in its reports about certain sporting personalities (benni, luke watson...) just because they've been controversial before.

Well if he does come back, i wonder how the fans will treat him.

i think they'll boo him until he scores, like fans in any other country.

Steven Pienaar scored a great goal for Everton last night.

^^yes he did, but his part of the Blue Shite now, so it stinks, Torres's first goal was much better. :tongue:

^^yes he did, but his part of the Blue Shite now, so it stinks, Torres's first goal was much better. :tongue:

Lol. The Torres goal was very good. But i prefer the blue half of Liverpool. ;)

Steven Pienaar scored a great goal for Everton last night.

Nice comeback from Aston Villa. If only Pienaar could score that goal for RSA!

I despise Liverpool but Torres is*sigh*

Villa were lucky, they shouldn't have got a penalty. Also, Milner's goal whilst being very good was probably due to a poorly placed wall. Pienaar played well the other night.

Some of those Villa players love diving.

Ashley young is a tool.

Not as much as Agbonlahor with his ridiculously sharp nose... I hate him.

Some of those Villa players love diving.

You should see Drogba

every team has its experts. i still don't understand how the refs fall for some of those dives.

You should see Drogba
Everybody knows about him :lol: Same as Ronaldo.
every team has its experts. i still don't understand how the refs fall for some of those dives.

Howard Webb was well fooled by Ashley Young throwing himself on the ground at every opportunity the other day. :ohno:

Chealsie vs Liverpool: What a game yesterday
My game of the season..

You should see Drogba

yes I saw him last night on telly. :)
mwahahaha

Chealsie vs Liverpool: What a game yesterday
My game of the season..

I think you should wait til the Arsenal game tonight to make a conclusion like that. ( Gunners 5-0 Yellow submarines) :cheers:

Gunners all the way

Really? tomorrow is coming!

yes I saw him last night on telly. :)
mwahahaha

shurrup, Barca will take it

Chealsie vs Liverpool: What a game yesterday
My game of the season..

it was epic

shurrup, Barca will take it


Barca plays football from another planet. True football lovers can only hope they take it home this year.

Yeah but their defense sucks in comparison, Chelsea will beat them.

Yeah but their defense sucks in comparison, Chelsea will beat them.

hmm, Chelsea defense didn't impress me neither the last couple of weeks.

Anyhow, Barca never excelled in defending. When they win it's because they are better. As Johan Cruyff said" the intention of the game is to score one more than the other team". That's exactly how Barca has often played "so what if they score two? Than it's up to us to score at least three" Simple!

Chealsie have let in 5 goals in the last 2 games agaist Liverpool.
Must tell you something about their taps

Still think Barca will take it this season.

Chealsie have let in 5 goals in the last 2 games agaist Liverpool.
Must tell you something about their taps

Still think Barca will take it this season.

liverpool is a good team!

Its going to be a rematch of last year finals between chelsea and man united....hopefully drogba can keep his hands to himself and chelsea can pull out with a win and bring the trophy for the first time to stamford bridge

liverpool is a good team!

Its going to be a rematch of last year finals between chelsea and man united....hopefully drogba can keep his hands to himself and chelsea can pull out with a win and bring the trophy for the first time to stamford bridge

More like a rematch of the 2006 Final but this time Adebayor will score a hat-trick to win it for the gunners... I'm willing to bet my life on it.

More like a rematch of the 2006 Final but this time Adebayor will score a hat-trick to win it for the gunners... I'm willing to bet my life on it.

ok lets bet ur life on it lol.....if that doesnt happen you would be thrown in a lions cage lol.

The two of you guys are living in a dream land. You wont see the final. Its Man Untd vs Barca. finish en klaar

The two of you guys are living in a dream land. You wont see the final. Its Man Untd vs Barca. finish en klaar

And it came to pass!!!!:nuts:

Benni dropped for Confeds Cup


Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana announced his squad for the Fifa Confederations Cup - and Benni Mccarthy did not make the cut.

McCarthy has been in the news again recently after snubbing call-ups for the friendlies against Norway and Portugal, and it seems this latest 'disappearing act' has now cost him his Bafana career.

Another to miss out is SuperSport United winger Daine Klate, who has been a star in Matsatsantsa’s quest for a second successive League title.

The local based players will go to camp on May 13 for full medicals and will be joined later by the overseas-based players on June 1.

The squad will be cut from 30 players to 23 and announced before the Fifa deadline on June 4.

The 30-man Bafana squad is:

Goalkeepers: Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Rowen Fernandez (Armenia Bielefeld, Germany)

Defenders: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers, England), Nasief Morris (Recreativo, Spain), Bryce Moon (Panithinikos, Greece), Lucas Twala (Orlando Pirates), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United)

Midfielders: Lance Davids (Djurgardens, Sweden), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Masilo Modubi (Westerlo, Belgium), Siyabonga Nkosi (Maccabi Netanya, Israel), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England), Macbeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), Benson Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates), Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Elrio van Heerden (Club Brugge, Belgium), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates)

Strikers: Bernard Parker (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Mabhuti Khenyeza (Ajax Cape Town), Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates)

not a bad squad. just don't understand what happened to calvin marlin. that guy's brilliant.

Hes not getting enough game time at Sundowns, maybe thats the reason.

i guess. such a shame.

MOKOENA JOINS POMPEY

Posted: 2009-05-24 21:40

Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena has joined English Premiership Portsmouth on a three-year deal.

The 28-year-old defender-cum-midfielder played his final game for Blackburn Rovers when he came off the bench in their 0-0 draw with relegated West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

"I can leave in peace knowing that I've been honest to the team, I've been loyal,” he told Radio Rovers. "I am going to Portsmouth, I am going there to play, it is what every player wants to do.

"I have decided it is time to move on for me. As we know we have a World Cup in South Africa and I have to play, I have to play week in, week out.

"So it is going to be a good challenge for me going to Portsmouth and we'll see how it goes. The good thing for me is that I have three years with Pompey and I'll be going there to do my job, as I did my job in Blackburn."

The Bafana star will also launch the Aaron Mokoena Foundation in Sedibeng on Thursday, hoping to improve the lives of the local children in the area by providing them with opportunities through football.

good news that. just hope he gets more game time.

Good news fo Mokoena

Bafana's current ranking is 77th....well done for at least making it in the top 100

Jeez we dropped without even playing a game... why FIFA, why!?!

Bafana Bafana vs Poland: Orlando Stadium, 6 june 2009

Bafana Bafana vs Mauritius: this Saturday, Johannesburg stadium... don't know if they gonna broadcast it though.

Jeez we dropped without even playing a game... why FIFA, why!?!

because others did play apparently.

Bafana Bafana vs Mauritius: this Saturday, Johannesburg stadium... don't know if they gonna broadcast it though.

Dont tell me that that i have to pay to watch a practice match. Im a black man, ngi thanda izinto zamahala. So entrance free. Lol.

Bafana did not even qualify for the WC- that We Hosting!.....
They only in cause SA is hosting....Eish....

What was our ranking at the beginning of the year?

Dont tell me that that i have to pay to watch a practice match. Im a black man, ngi thanda izinto zamahala. So entrance free. Lol.
Times are hard ne :)

World Cup

* 1930 to 1962 - Did not enter
* 1966 to 1990 - Banned from FIFA because of Apartheid
* 1994 - Did not qualify
* 1998 - Round 1
* 2002 - Round 1
* 2006 - Did not qualify
* 2010 - Qualified automatically as host nation

African Nations Cup

* 1957 - Disqualified because of apartheid
* 1959 to 1992 - Banned from CAF
* 1994 - Did not qualify
* 1996 - Champions
* 1998 - Second place
* 2000 - Third place
* 2002 - Quarterfinals
* 2004 - Round 1
* 2006 - Round 1
* 2008 - Round 1
* 2010 - Did not qualify

World Cup

* 1930 to 1962 - Did not enter
* 1966 to 1990 - Banned from FIFA because of Apartheid
* 1994 - Did not qualify
* 1998 - Round 1
* 2002 - Round 1
* 2006 - Did not qualify
* 2010 - Qualified automatically as host nation

African Nations Cup

* 1957 - Disqualified because of apartheid
* 1959 to 1992 - Banned from CAF
* 1994 - Did not qualify
* 1996 - Champions
* 1998 - Second place
* 2000 - Third place
* 2002 - Quarterfinals
* 2004 - Round 1
* 2006 - Round 1
* 2008 - Round 1
* 2010 - Did not qualify

Well props for consistency ( a consistent decline that is.)

Heh yea.

hell, not even the new uniform nor the international coaches have made much difference

LOL @ THIS QUOTE FROM mukina2 on some site

someone said the only way Bafana bafana will win the WC is through this way

http://pwood33.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/att1323426.jpg?w=300&h=204

lol dennis, there is no stadium like this in SA HAHA

^^It can be arranged

lol im sure they would still lose....eish bafana....

:rofl:

I'm not impressed *trying hard not to laugh*

The only way is up.

But seriously though, you have a good team. There is the great Elrio van Heerden and Steven Pienaar... and... and....

Well, okay, those are the only players I know.

lol.....mokoena the captain.

eish.....bafana bafana
At least we have a good Rugby and Cricket national team

Dont think you guys should be so quick to bash Bafana. Judging by the quality of football on show in the PSL this season, i think they might just surprise a lot of critics.

well then if that happens, i'l be pleasantly surprised....just not holding my breath

i've said this in another thread, but i hope we can emulate the germans at least a little bit in terms of their support in 2006. ok, the team played brilliantly and got far, but what was amazing was the way the supporters didn't let the loss in the semis get them down. we won't help bafana bafana by being critical and skeptical. they get that enough.

last 3 world cup host have been to the quarter finals (japan), semi finals (germany and south korea), and france 1998 winners.

so south africa has to atleast reach the qtrs or semi finals.

i'm rooting for them no matter how far they get or don't get.

Me too. There is nothing that elevates your peformance like when you are the hosts of a tournament.Its a complete different thing. I mean did you think Japan and Korea would go that far?

japan's fans were great too. the other key to the german world cup was the way that the home fans partied on with other fans, even with the italians after the semis. that's what we need.

last 3 world cup host have been to the quarter finals (japan), semi finals (germany and south korea), and france 1998 winners.

so south africa has to atleast reach the qtrs or semi finals.

Sorry Dennis, just couldnt find a better place to say this to you: Chealsie arent getting nothing this season. Go Evaton.

Sorry Dennis, just couldnt find a better place to say this to you: Chelsea arent getting nothing this season. Go Everton.

lol.....watch drogba score 2 and anelka scores 1....dont be a hater

I'm routing for Everton simply because of the Pienaar factor. ( and because Chelsea beat Arsenal in the semis')

The only way is up.

But seriously though, you have a good team. There is the great Elrio van Heerden and Steven Pienaar... and... and....

Well, okay, those are the only players I know.


Van Heerden...such great skills, so many injuries. I really wonder what he can reach if he manages to stay injure free. He has hardly played in Bruges this season and he's still in the Bafana selection...means your coach recognizes his talent.

Sorry Dennis, just couldnt find a better place to say this to you: Chealsie arent getting nothing this season. Go Evaton.

haha well drogba scored one goal and lampard finished everton off.....2-1....u wrong this time MR

Van Heerden...such great skills, so many injuries. I really wonder what he can reach if he manages to stay injure free. He has hardly played in Bruges this season and he's still in the Bafana selection...means your coach recognizes his talent.

Yep, and he just signed for Blackburn Rovers yesterday... good news for Bafana

^^ fisrt i've heard of that. very cool.

Yep, and he just signed for Blackburn Rovers yesterday... good news for Bafana

great for him but not for my favourite team, Bruges! I wish him all the best in the UK!

^^ fisrt i've heard of that. very cool.

It's on the official website, and it seems Sam Allardyce is pretty excited about buying him. We'll soon see what he saw in him at the Confed Cup.

Here's an article from The Citizen: http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=97176,1,22

The main reason our players need to go to Europe is to get stronger. It's been a major problem in the last few years. We just loose the ball in 1 on1 situations.

The new FIFA ranking are out and it seems we've moved up 5 places to 72.

I'm predicting us to be in the top 50 after the confed cup.

Nice boys. 1-0 against Poland aisn't bad at all, especially considering that Khune made his first save in the 2nd half.

^^ lol, I agree. I'm sure Khune was bored as these guys were out played and never attempted his goal posts in the 1st half. The boys seem to have found the rythm, they should just continue that kind of play during CC. The mood at the stadium was electric and thanks to the Polanders for coming out in large numbers to support their team.

Khune made his first save in the 2nd half.

Well with 7 defensive players on the field i wasn't surprised at all... But good showing by the boys against a Poland side ranked in the 30's... I see the flood gates opening against Iraq

i still feel they lack penetration.

The new FIFA ranking are out and it seems we've moved up 5 places to 72.

I'm predicting us to be in the top 50 after the confed cup.
July's probable rankings.....
http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-july-2009-probable-ranking.html

July's probable rankings.....
http://www.football-rankings.info/2009/06/fifa-ranking-july-2009-probable-ranking.html

Fifa surely has to alterate his criterias for the ranking, for USA or switzerland certainly aren't between the 20 best teams in the world. They just have luck in playing against weak teams.

Fifa surely has to alterate his criterias for the ranking, for USA or switzerland certainly aren't between the 20 best teams in the world. They just have luck in playing against weak teams.

Yes i know. They did modify it about 2 years ago, it's better but still not great. Going into the last World Cup, USA was something like no. 6 in the world. :nuts: They'd be lucky to be top 30 IMO.

so true....the fifa ranking is garbage....usa are not that good in soccer...i mean they are ranked ahead of a team like ghana who beat them 2-1 in the last world cup.
But spain is definately the top the in the world and if they will the conf cup ...they will be number 1 heading to the world cup.

FIFA was paid off by the US.

stop the conspiracy joan

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3652/3606739447_5cb4f2cdd4.jpg?v=0
With the new jersey's

those rankings are whack!!!!!!...there are countries that i didnt even know exist ahead of us...makes me so fv#king angry

The norm is, before playing against someone not only in sport but generally, one should know their opposition, eNews channel reported that Bafana knows "nothing" about there first opposition Iraq- who they playing this Sunday in the opening match of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
o well Good Luck

Well the Fifa ranking system differentiates between teams you beat, by what margin and whether it's home or away. The thing is the U.S always wins or dominates concacaf so they rarely lose points. Switzerland to me is a bigger surprise and Czech are very average.

speaking about rankings...how the hell is honduras and boznia better than chile

Alex do u think the brazilian squad is good enough to beat spain?

speaking about rankings...how the hell is honduras and boznia better than chile

bosnia is playing very well and 2nd place behind spain ahead of turkey and honduras did just beat the states.

costa rica beat them not honduras and chile is ahead of argentina in the wc standings not just turkey

damn usa just beat honduras...was thinking they beat the us...my bad.

fifa ranking dont mean sh*t ....just go and play a game ...u can beat anybody any time any place.

speaking about rankings...how the hell is honduras and boznia better than chile

And how the hell is The Netherlands second? I can easily name ten teams that are way better than the Dutch team.

:nuts:im going to take those FIFA rankings with a pinch of salt...whoever sits down and does those rankings must be smoking some chronic devils lettuce

the dutch are in form. i'm not saying the system is accurate but holland is one of the best teams in the world.

Alex do u think the brazilian squad is good enough to beat spain?

Yeah definitely their squad is good enough to beat Spain, but Spain still have a better team overall and would probably be favorites.

bosnia is playing very well and 2nd place behind spain ahead of turkey and honduras did just beat the states.

Their is no way Honduras is better than Chile.With Bosnia it would be close. Edin Dzeko was awarded best player of the year in Germany.

Boks rally behind Bafana
2009-06-11 09:48

Johannesburg - The Springbok squad has thrown its support behind Bafana Bafana ahead of the Confederations Cup, which kicks off on Sunday with South Africa taking on Iraq in the opening game in Johannesburg.

The Springbok squad, which is currently in Durban preparing for their three Tests against the British and Irish Lions, demonstrated their support by having a special photograph taken wearing Bafana shirts – exactly a year ahead of the opening game of the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa.

“The Springboks are fully behind Bafana, as well as the 2010 World Cup in South Africa,” said Bok captain John Smit.

“This tournament will be an important part of their on-going preparations for 2010 and it is important for them to do well against some of the top teams in the world.

“The recent win over Poland was a great start and should give them confidence going into the tournament. We urge all South Africans to get behind the team,” Smit added.

http://cdn.24.com/files/Cms/General/d/179/ef9e2af8d1ce4b6abb45c1d2eb29f9af.jpg

Thats really nice of them- wow

Looks like our boy is creating alot of intrest in the UK.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5382991,00.html

interesting...hope he gets the chance. Will mean a total of four, if i am not mistaken, South African's in the EPL.

5, elrio van heerden's moved to blackburn.

who am i missing? 3 now on rovers, one on everton...and?

mccarthy & van heerden at rovers, mokoena at portsmouth, pienaar everton, modise....

so my maths isn't showing tonight. :)

Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana blames Nerves for the disappointing outcome in the opening match against Iraq- eNews Channel

^^ his own or the players'? the players can try their best. if he puts the wrong combination on the pitch they won't get the results. he seriously needs to wake up.

no no no, with all due respect to our national team, they need to wake up. Hell they demanding 1.2 mil each if they win, how about them at least winning a game or two. They have had some great coaches, still, nothing. 1 week before the match, they admit they know nothing about their opposition, and that they would be spending time watching DVDs. They need to change their mindsets, McCarthy even said he struggles to play with them. Anyway, i wish them well.

satana might lose his job after this tournament so is Dunga

satana might lose his job after this tournament so is Dunga
He wont mind, his made millions already

i don't think one can blame the players too much. if the coach doesn't do his job, they can't do theirs. i think the whole demanding more money story was exaggerated. and i don't think it's too late to get a new oach. no use in hoping in a sinking ship. these players have heaps of talent and can play together. they've shown that. but it's up to the coach to put the right combinations on the field and motivate them in a language they can understand.

Santana is too defensive minded and if we were to win any game, it was the Iraq one!
NZ arnt going to be easy tonight and they will want to restore some pride after Spain raped them :lol:

Hopefully tonight Bafana 4 NZ 0.

I will cheer for SA, but if I hear any vuvuzela I may have to change my mind.

There will be vuvuzelas and alot of them cuz its Bafana playing, i mean what do you expect?

MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER BAFANA!!!

I'm still not convinced. Considering that Spain only beat Iraq 1-0, Iraq could still beat N.Z by a couple of goals and South Africa lose to Spain by more than one goal and Iraq would qualify. That said Iraq haven't shown an inch of interest going forward. South Africa really should have won by more goals.

spain will try to keep their streak of winning or being undefeated going, so they might play their regulars.

C'mon New Zealand, get back some dignity and beat Iraq :D

much better performance though, I would like to see Tshabalala start on the right left wing against Spain, that boy got some talent!

I'm still not convinced. Considering that Spain only beat Iraq 1-0, Iraq could still beat N.Z by a couple of goals and South Africa lose to Spain by more than one goal and Iraq would qualify. That said Iraq haven't shown an inch of interest going forward. South Africa really should have won by more goals.

Im not convinced with spain beating Iraq 1-0.

What tactics you think Santana will adopt if any at all? I think man to man marking will be esential as well as set peice play. We threw away many chances against Iraq with bad deliverys, so that needs a major work out esp corners.

the problem we have is all our strikers are the same size which limits our attacking options significantly. our midfield was very strong in attack and defense so i think we can definitely pull off a draw.

I think that South Africa, has to go to this game, on mind to win preasuring very well as the game against New Zealand, where they were on top of them as soon as they had the ball on their possession. If South Africa goes on mind for a draw, sooner or later they'll suffer goals, for Spain surely breaks very well the defenses. Man to man marking has to be made to Torres and Villa using Sibaya and Booth for this.

well done, boys played well

I was almost heart attack when Iraq nearly goal. Thank to NZ helping SA into Semi Final. Kgune did an amazing Save in penalty!!!!

yeah, a bit of an improvement. i know we will suprise some in the semi-final!

Torres backs Bafana
2009-06-21 15:48

Bloemfontein - Spanish and Liverpool superstar Fernando Torres would love to play Bafana Bafana again - in the final of the Confederations Cup at Coca-Cola Park next Sunday.

Speaking after the he had helped the European champions to a hard fought 2-0 win over Bafana in their final Group A clash played at a near capacity Free State Stadium on Saturday night, Torres complimented the home side.

"I found it difficult to score against South Africa. They are not an easy side to play against. I am glad they qualified for the semi-finals and I would not mind playing then again in the final," said the Liverpool striker.

Both Bafana and Spain qualify for the semi-finals. The other two semi-finalists will be decided on Sunday night.

David Villa and substitute and Fernando Llorente scored in the second half.

Spain won the group, undefeated with nine points, with Bafana the runners-up on four points. The other Group A fixture played at the same time ended goalless between Iraq and New Zealand at Coca-Cola Park.

Iraq won few friends with their negative defensive tactics and finished with two goalless draws while the All Whites ended with a point. Neither Iraq nor the Kiwis managed a single goal in three matches.

Torres said he was impressed by Bafana and added: "South Africa will keep improving if they play top sides like Spain. South Africa have the potential to improve and become a good side if they keep getting games against quality opposition."

Meanwhile, Spain head coach Vincente Del Bosque said he hoped to go all the way and win the final. He said he was delighted Spain had broken the world record of 15 consecutive unbeaten matches and equalled Brazil's 35 unbeaten record.

I must say I was pretty impressed with us, if our guys work on their striking we would get the goals we need, we could have easily been 2-0 up at half time. Teko needs to calm down, he seems to nervous at times. Also I think we should have brought on Tshabalala

^^ hope SA beat Brazil

I must say I was pretty impressed with us, if our guys work on their striking we would get the goals we need, we could have easily been 2-0 up at half time. Teko needs to calm down, he seems to nervous at times. Also I think we should have brought on Tshabalala

To the point DB, I agree with you 100%.

i think we're not using our squad properly. tshabala and van heerden should get more game time and lance davids and bryce moon should feature too. but yes, we're definitely moving in the right direction.

cant wait for tonight, will be blowing my vuvuzela like never before!!!!

:lol:

South Africa 1 Brazil 5 final

Dunga brushed off the prediction by Santana that South Africa would come out attacking. Instead he believes they'll play a defensive game. I'll be surprised because Uruguay played that exact strategy and we just won 4-0 (in Uruguay) on the break.