Santana: No pressure on me
2008-09-04 22:30
Port Elizabeth - Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana is not afraid of losing his job should the national team fail to beat Nigeria in Port Elizabeth on Saturday and not qualify for the 2010 African Nations Cup finals in Angola.
Speaking in broken English with his assistant and fellow Brazilian countryman Jairo Leal acting as an "interpreter" on Thursday, Santana said the Group Four qualifier against Nigeria was important but he would not quit if Bafana lost.
But he added: "I have been here (in South Africa) for only three months after taking over from Carlos Alberto Parreira and my job is to build a competitive team for the 2010 World Cup finals here in South Africa. That is what I aim to do."
But he said he was confident Bafana would beat the Group Four leaders who have won all four qualifiers and not conceded a goal.
The Bafana coach said, "Nigeria are a good side but we are going to win."
Santana said he had no complaints with the bumpy pitch at the ERPU Stadium after he had a training session there on Thursday afternoon.
"I have no problem with the pitch and nothing more to say on that issue." He added.
Firing on all cylinders
Santana was delighted to have ace striker Benni McCarthy back firing on all cylinders at training this week. The Blackburn Rovers striker has recovered from a groin injury and is not fully match fit.
"But," added Santana." Benni is a class player, and even although he is not 100 percent match fit I am happy to have him in the side as he adds experience and support to the other players."
Santana has not decided who will replace suspended captain Aaron Mokoena at centre half. He is set to start with Spanish based Nasief Morris who regularly plays alongside Mokoena for Bafana, and has a choice of Mamelodi Sundowns Mbulelo "OJ" Mabizela, Russian based Matthew Booth, Bevan Fransman who plays in Israel for Maccabi Netanya or SuperSport United rookie Bongani Khumalo to partner Morris.
He brought Mabizela and Booth back in to the squad after a long absence but it appears he favours Mabizela to play with Morris.
Santana said: "I am happy with both Mabizela and Booth. Both have experience and looked good at training. I will only announce my line-up an hour before kick-off."
- SAPA