Kickoff (Cape Town)

South Africa: No Injuries in Bafana Squad

It's all systems go for Bafana Bafana's Nelson Mandela Challenge against Cameroon today, following the arrival of all players yesterday.

Bafana manager Sipho Nkumane tells KickOff.com that Macbeth Sibaya, Aaron Mokeona and Nassief Morris arrived yesterday to join the rest of the team in Rustenburg ahead of the game against the Indomitable Lions at Olympia Park Stadium tonight.

Nkumane added that there were no late injuries and gave Joel Santana's squad a clean bill of health.

Meanwhile striker Benni McCarthy says he is confident that Bafana will win the Nelson Mandela Challenge, which kicks off at 20h30.

"I believe that we are going to win this game against Cameroon," says McCarthy. "I would personally like us to finish this year on a high since this is our last match of the year. With the support of the Media, supporters and the whole nation, we will win.

"We have been playing well in the past three matches or so and we are starting to understand and adapt to the style and the system that the coach wants us to.

"Every footballer wants to be part of a game of this magnitude and I am looking forward to making the squad for the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and ultimately, the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

"I'm very happy to be part of this great squad even though I am going through a difficult time in my life, but I made a decision to take part. I know that it is what my father would have liked me to do. He has been the pillar of strength and inspiration in my game. He was the one who encouraged me to take up football," says McCarthy.

Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana says he has learnt to accept any type of opposition, and insists he is not worried which team is drawn to play South Africa in the Confederations Cup.

"It is in this spirit that I'm looking forward to tomorrow's match. We have kept the same squad that we have been using in the past five games. It is important to maintain continuity. We already have identified 90% of the players that we want for the Confederations Cup, which will be preparation to the World Cup,"


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