Bafana Bafana Gains Confidence

Santana announces Bafana team to face Norway and Iceland in cold conditions

The Senior Men's National Team coach Joel Santana has announced the national squad to play two friendly international matches against Norway and Iceland respectively.

Bafana Bafana will take on Norway on Saturday 10 October in Oslo and then face Iceland three days later on Tuesday 13 October in Reykjavik.

Addressing a media conference in Johannesburg the morning of 1 October 2009, Santana said the two matches are part of a programme to prepare a strong Bafana Bafana for the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament.

Bafana Bafana's last match was a friendly international against Madagascar in Kimberly last month where the home side won 1 - 0 despite unsuitable playing conditions to the team's usual style of play.

The weather in Iceland is expected to hover around 0 degrees Celsius, and with the weather conditions deteriorating in Europe at this time of the year, Santana is optimistic that players will continue to demonstrate their passion and hunger for success.

The coach says the players have shown great character in the previous matches, adding that they are no longer intimidated by opponents. "We are going to face Norway and Iceland in their own backyard under difficult conditions, but my players have to show character and fight for victories like we did against Madagascar in Kimberley. We had great support from the people of Kimberley but unfortunately we didn't play our best football because of the condition of the pitch. We played very hard with character and that's what I'm expecting in the coming matches against Norway and Iceland," said Santana.

Newly elected SAFA President Kirsten Nematandani says the team has to perform to inspire the nation ahead of next year's 2010 FIFA World Cup, "We are the host country and it is absolutely important that we do well in the tournament. The players and the technical team must take advantage of these international friendly matches to prepare adequately, and to start winning so that the nation can be fully behind the team." added Nematandani.

The team assembles on Tuesday 06 October 2009 and departs on the same day in the evening. They return to South Africa on Thursday 15 October 2009.

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