By Obakeng Maje

Sao Paolo-Bafana Bafana has completed their preparations ahead of the international friendly match against Brazil.

 

The much-awaited clash will take place tonight (Friday, 7 September 2012) at the Estadio do Morumbi in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

 

Kickoff is at 20h45.

 

The South Africans had a feel of the match venue, the home of Sao Paolo FC, on Thursday, 6 September and looked in great form.

 

This was head coach Gordon Igesund’s fourth training session since the squad started camp on Sunday – and the first where he worked with the whole squad following the arrival on Wednesday night of defenders Bongani Khumalo and Siboniso Gaxa.

 

“We are very confident because the players gave their all at training and I am positive we will do well against Brazil, the five-time world champions. But I am more concerned about how the players will perform on the day after we fit in three weeks of training in just three days,” said Igesund.

 

“We are going into the match very much attack-minded. I will be using three strikers as I don’t like to sit back and wait for them to attack us – whatever happens will happen.”

 

South Africa has never beaten Brazil in three meetings – all in Johannesburg. This will be the first match outside South Africa.

 

They first met in April in 1996 at Soccer City with Bafana Bafana going down by three goals to two – Phil Masinga and Doctor Khumalo scored in that clash.

 

The previous two fixtures were held at the Ellis Park Stadium – the first in December 1997, South Africa going down by two goals to one with Helman Mkhalele scoring the home side’s solitary goal.

 

In the third encounter a late Danny Alves goal knocked Bafana Bafana out of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June.

 

“I have a lot of respect for Brazil and I am under no illusions that they are a great footballing nation but that in no way means we will just roll over and have them walk all over us. Realistically I am looking for a win but the results don’t mean much,” said Igesund.

 

“But what is important for me is that we need to see that change in attitude, increased passion and fantastic character and a lot of energy. If the boys can give me that and we lose then we won’t hang our heads in shame. This is a new start for everybody, a new era for South African football.”

 

Igesund had some words also for the supporters of the national team.

 

“As for the people back home I just want them to enjoy this match as much as we will. We want to make them proud and show that we really appreciate their support,” he said.

 

Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy had a full training session after being sidelined on Wednesday by a trouble-some calf muscle strain. He has been cleared to feature in the match.

 

Bafana Bafana returns home on Sunday morning (9 September) and move to Nelspruit, Mpumalanga where they will play their second international friendly. This time they will be up against Mozambique on Tuesday, 11 September.