Santana shows his hand

2008-09-05 08:53

Port Elizabeth - Bafana Bafana head coach Joel Santana appeared to show his hand at training ahead of Saturday's win at all costs 2010 African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria to be played at the ERPU Stadium.

Kick-off is at 15:00.

Did the Brazilian give the game away? Or is he playing a clever mind game with the Nigerians who were spying on his open session? After training Santana coyly said he would name his starting lineup one hour before kick-off. But this was after he held a practice game between what looked like his first X1 and the rest at the ERPU Stadium at a training session on Thursday afternoon.

It appears Santana is again going for the tried and tested and has not learnt from the disastrous 0-0 draw at home to Sierra Leone in June that has put this clash against the Super Eagles in the must win category. He looks set to play two defensive midfielders in a match that screams out for an attacking formation.

Defeat or a draw would eliminate Bafana from the 2010 continental showpiece in Angola. Even a win over Nigeria and another three points when Bafana play Equatorial Guinea away in the final qualifier next month may not be enough to save South Africa's hopes of playing in Angola.

But a win over the arch enemy - Nigeria - would go a long way in healing wounded pride.

Spirit in the camp

His starting lineup could read - in goal Itumeleng Khune; the defenders Bryce Moon, Nasief Morris, Mbulelo Mabizela and Bradley Carnell; midfielders Teko Modise, Kagisho Dikgacoi, Macbeth Sibaya, Siphiwe Tshabalala with Siyabonga Nkosi playing behind striker Benni McCarthy.

Two key factors in Bafana's favour against Nigeria are the pumped up Blackburn Rovers McCarthy and the spirit in the camp.

Morris summed up the feeling about the unsettled Rovers striker who has promised to take the game to the Super Eagles: "Benni gives us an extra edge. He is that type of player. As for the atmosphere goes in camp, I have never been involved in a stronger and better camp. Every player is pulling his weight and we all want to win. We know what it means to the nation."

He added that now was the time to perform and produce the goods against a side Bafana have never been in a competitive game.

Veteran Mamelodi Sundowns striker Sibusiso Zuma who might be a shock omission said the players would not buckle under the pressure of the weight of expectation.

Said Zuma: "We are all professionals and this is what we do. Pressure comes with the territory but it won't get to us on Saturday."

Zuma is also happy that McCarthy is back in the fold. He said: "It is great having Benni working hard and enjoying training. He is looking sharp and he will play a key role."

Five competitive matches

Zuma played in the friendly Nelson Mandela Challenge 2-1 win over Nigeria at Ellis Park in November 2004. It is the only time Bafana have got the better of the Super Eagles.

Bafana have lost all five competitive matches against Nigeria without scoring a single goal. He also said that the 2-2 friendly international draw against Australia in London last month was the ideal warmup for the Super Eagles showdown.

There can be no better time to break the hold the Super Eagles appear to hold over Bafana.

Said Zuma: "That game showed we can play well. It has done wonders for confidence and morale in the camp. Now we need to take the game to Nigeria as we did Australia. This is a big game and a very important one for all of us."

Moon who joined Greek giants Panathinaikos form Ajax Cape Town in the off-season said the players were psyched up for the big match. He stressed the players are not reading anything into the fact Nigeria lost four key players through injury this week including captain and Portsmouth striker Nwankwu Kanu.

Said Moon: It does not matter which players play for Nigeria we know they are not here on holiday."

Nigerian Football Association spokesperson Idah Peterside agreed: "We are injury free and no ways are we here to relax. We want to win this game very badly. We are not in the habit of doing any team favours especially opponents like Bafana."

Meanwhile Bafana media spokesperson Sifiso Cele confirmed that Bafana would play Guinea in a friendly international at Atteridgeville's Super Stadium on Tuesday at 18:00.

The squad to play Guinea will be announced after Saturday's clash.

- SAPA