adminBafana Bafana will officially hand over their World Cup host nation duties to Brazil when they meet in a friendly match at Soccer City this evening.
Kick-off is at 7:30pm.The international meeting will see South Africa, the hosts of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, pass on their duties to the South American nation as they gear up to entertain the footballing world in June.
It will also be an opportunity for Gordon Igesund and his charges to give back to the home support and perhaps provide an opportunity to apologise for their failure in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
In between the World Cup disappointment and this friendly, Bafana Bafana also failed to make an impact on the Chan tournament in January as they were eliminated from the group stages of the campaign despite being hosts.
Granted, they were without the help of their international stars and head coach Igesund has since pounced on the opportunity in inviting Bongani Khumalo, Anele Ngcongca, Dean Fuman, Andile Jali, Thulani Serero and Tokelo Rantie to significantly strengthen the team for this match.
“Things have gone very well. I am not going to harp on Chan – that is a disappointment and we know that. We are moving forward and the camp is very happy. We are looking forward to the challenge of Brazil,” said Igesund.
“What we want out of this is a good performance. We did that against Spain and this is another challenge. We will be competitive and are hoping to put on a good showing.”
Bafana Bafana shocked the world when they edged out the European and World Champions Spain back at Soccer City last November, and Igesund feels that victory will spur his side on when coming up against the likes of Neymar.
“I have to keep referring to Spain – the guys dealt with it well,” he added. “Neymar is a complete player but he isn’t different to Spain.
“The guys want to be here, the players will tell you themselves that it is good to rub shoulders with the best. They have outstanding players everywhere. You can’t pick out or single out players because there is so much quality [in the Brazil team].”
Brazil, on the other hand, arrive in the country with a full strength squad of 19 players, which includes the likes of Thiago Silva, Dante, Dani Alves and, of course, Neymar.
South Africa and Brazil have clashed in four official matches heading back as far as their first meeting at the old ‘Soccer City’ in April 1996 when the South Americans came from two goals down (scored by Phil Masinga and Doctor Khumalo) to win 3-2.
Former Bafana coach and current technical director to Brazil, Carlos Alberto Perreira, admits it is good to be back in the country.
“It is a real pleasure, quite the honour to be back, I consider South Africa my second home after four years here,” said Perreira. “I took home many memories of the country which organised the World Cup and it was a good one.
“This game is special; there is brotherhood and friendship. Bafana will give us the kind of strength we need as the final game before the WC starts.
“We hope there will be a good show of football. We brought a strong team and are here to give a good match and have a good time.”
Both Bafana Bafana and Brazil will sport a commemorative shirt in honour of the late former president Nelson Mandela. – Supersport.
Online Reporter