Bafana coach thanks South Africa for giving him opportunity

By Peter Auf der Heyde Jun 24, 2009, 16:01 GMT

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana's Brazilian coach Joel Santana on Wednesday thanked South Africa for giving him the opportunity to coach a team to the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.

The hosts face the defending champions in the second semi-final of the Confederations Cup on Thursday in Johannesburg's Ellis Park.

'Even though I am Brazilian, it is a professional moment for me. South Africa has accepted me and given me the opportunity to be at the head of a national squad and to take that team to the World Cup.

'I have been respected and everybody is supporting me - it is a historic moment - there can be no doubt that the general feeling is that we will do our best against one of the best teams in the world.'

He said they were looking forward to the game against the five- time world champions. 'It is a very exciting match for us and we have been waiting for it for a long time.

'We recognise the power of our opponents - we will be serious in our approach and try a tactical approach. It is better to play against Brazil than Spain or Italy.

'It will be fantastic if we beat Brazil and it will be fantastic for my CV.'

He said that he had no other option than to play attacking football. 'It is not possible to defend against Brazil for 90 minutes. We are aware of what we have to do, we just want the party afterwards.

'How can I say to my players that they have to defend for 90 minutes. I cant say that in front of the spectators. I might lose, but I will lose playing honestly.

'We have to play with pride and determination.'

Earlier in the day the team sought inspiration from former president Nelson Mandela at a meeting with the anti-apartheid icon.

Mandela, who turns 91 on July 18, received the team and their support staff, at his office in Johannesburg's Houghton district on Wednesday afternoon.

Santana said it had been a historic moment for him and the team. 'To be before a worldwide symbol was a very proud moment for our team.

'We got goose pimples. Mandela is a supremely charismatic person, a person who is calm by his presence. Simply through his presence there is a great deal of tranquility and peace in his surroundings.

'I never thought in my opportunity I would have the opportunity I had today. I thought I had seen it all but I had not. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity.'

Captain Aaron Mokoena, who affectionately calls Mandela the Old Man, said that it was one of those special moments. 'Meeting the Old Man was incredible and one thing about the Old Man, he always has belief in us, not only in current squad, but in all squads.

'He gave us a message of good luck and told us that he believes in us. His presence is unbelievable and the calmness that he shows when he approaches people - that is something that we should take into the game tomorrow.

'Taking from the Old Man himself and being calm helps a lot. It was certainly one of the biggest moments. He wished each and every one of us good luck and told us that he has belief in us.'