Confederations Cup
Santana focused on Bafana
2009-06-24 07:34
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Johannesburg - "I am 100% focused on Bafana Bafana!"
Those are the words of coach Joel Santana when asked how he felt about facing Brazil, the country of his birth in the semi-final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Santana said he is the coach of South Africa and wants to think about nothing else but that.
"My work is in Africa, I respect the opponents, but I don't really care about them because I am now with Bafana Bafana. Why would I change my heart after spending 45 days in camp with the players - the likes of Teko Modise, Tshabalala (Siphiwe), Kagisho (Dikgacoi) and others?" asked Santana.
The Brazilian also revealed that South Africa have been dealt a huge blow with the absence of midfield strongman Macbeth Sibaya. The player will miss the clash against Brazil after he picked up two yellow cards in the group stages of the tournament.
"Yes, it is a huge blow, but I have capable players - maybe I will start with Tshabalala or Mashego (Katlego) or Mphela (Katlego) or Fanteni (Thembinkosi), I don't know I will see the players at training," he said.
The coach has also stressed that the team needs as much support as possible for the difficult mission ahead.
Meanwhile, from a medical point of view, Santana will have a full compliment of players to choose from as the squad has been given a clean bill of health.