SOWETO, South Africa: Upbeat South Africa are confident of becoming only the second country this year to defeat world champions Spain when they meet in a friendly today.
“We should not underestimate ourselves,” stressed coach Gordon Igesund ahead of the match at the 90,000-seat Soccer City stadium in Soweto, where Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 to win the 2010 World Cup.
“South Africa can defend, keep the ball, knock it around, and entertain -- our objective is to win this match,” he told reporters.
“I am telling the nation that we are going to be competitive against Spain. This match will reveal how far we have come since I took over.”
Igesund succeeded sacked Pitso Mosimane in September last year, promising a dramatic improvement in the results of under-achieving Bafana Bafana (The Boys).
But 12 victories, three draws and nine losses later, he remains in charge despite failing to reach either of the targets set by the national football association.
Told to make the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, the hosts won just one of four games and lost on penalties to Mali in the quarter-finals.
The second mandate -- a place at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil -- also proved beyond Igesund with minnows Ethiopia emerging shock winners of their second round qualifying group.
But star-saturated Spain, boasting 12 wins, three draws, one loss and a 36-11 goals record this year in all matches, hold no fears for Bafana players.
“We will take the game to Spain and show them what we have,” promised midfielder Dean Furman from English second-tier club Doncaster Rovers.
“They are the world champions and have a squad packed with stars from great clubs, but we are not afraid of anyone.” AFP
