Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana is ready to take on Iraq in the FIFA Confederations Cup opening match on Sunday, says team Coach Joel Santana.
Addressing a media briefing with less than 24 hours to go before the tournament kicks off in South Africa, Santana said the players had pledged to play as hard as they can to win the match.
"There are no injuries and all players are in a good condition," he said, adding that there had been a few bruises after their final training session but the players had all undergone medical check ups and been cleared of injuries.
Bafana Bafana maestro Teko Modise's injury, which had been reported in the media on Saturday morning, is minor and he is fit and ready for the match.
"Everything is fine and we are ready for the party," the Brazilian Coach said.
The Confederations Cup, which is seen as the dress rehearsal fro the 2010 FIFA World Cup, will be held from 14 to 28 June 2009 in four host cities, namely Pretoria, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Rustenburg.
Sunday's match between Bafana Bafana and Iraq will kick-off at 4pm and will be preceded by a mesmerizing opening ceremony which is expected to begin at 2.30pm.
Santana said that while it would be a difficult tournament, the team was committed to working hard to getting into the next level. "We are ready play Iraq, New Zealand and Spain," he said.
Bafana Bafana will need to win the match against these countries to get into the next round and reach semifinals.
The team's Captain, Aaron Mokoena, said the mood among the team was tense.
"We're going to have to play against experienced opponents with good players, but the fact that we are playing on home soil, that an advantage."
He urged South Africans to come out in their numbers to support the team.
