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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena believes his team-mates will be fearless when they take to the field against Mexico.
South Africa kick off the 2010 World Cup at Soccer City on Friday against a fluid El Tri side. Around 85 000 supporters are expected to be clad in yellow, armed with a vuvuzela and a flag at the 94 000-seater stadium.
Carlos Alberto Parreira's boys will have overwhelming support, but the skipper insists Bafana won't be nervous or anxious.
"It was an opportunity for us to come and play against Colombia here in the stadium, so that we could get the feeling as to how it's going to be," Mokoena said.
"We looking forward to the game. We've been through the feelings of how it's going to be.
"It's going to be important that we go out relaxed, but of course not too relaxed, and enjoy it."
He added: "This is the most important thing. It's obviously important to win the first game of a tournament.
"We have a great respect against Mexico. They are a fantastic side, but for us it's important that we go out there and give it our all.
"We need to win badly and we're going to make it difficult for Mexico.
"It's about us, it's about what we want and about making our country proud. The moment of truth has arrived."
South Africa kick off the 2010 World Cup at Soccer City on Friday against a fluid El Tri side. Around 85 000 supporters are expected to be clad in yellow, armed with a vuvuzela and a flag at the 94 000-seater stadium.
Carlos Alberto Parreira's boys will have overwhelming support, but the skipper insists Bafana won't be nervous or anxious.
"It was an opportunity for us to come and play against Colombia here in the stadium, so that we could get the feeling as to how it's going to be," Mokoena said.
"We looking forward to the game. We've been through the feelings of how it's going to be.
"It's going to be important that we go out relaxed, but of course not too relaxed, and enjoy it."
He added: "This is the most important thing. It's obviously important to win the first game of a tournament.
"We have a great respect against Mexico. They are a fantastic side, but for us it's important that we go out there and give it our all.
"We need to win badly and we're going to make it difficult for Mexico.
"It's about us, it's about what we want and about making our country proud. The moment of truth has arrived."
