Pretoria - Bafana Bafana fans are confident that nothing will stop the national team from defeating Poland ahead of the crucial FIFA Confederations Cup.
Coach Joel Santana's men face their acid test when they host Poland in their last friendly game at Orlando Stadium on Saturday afternoon before they open their Confederations Cup programme a week later against Iraq.
Soccer fan Vukile Khusi, 24, from Port Sheptone in KwaZulu-Natal told BuaNews that he was certain that South Africa will beat Poland.
"Despite the fact that we have a problem of defeating European teams, I certainly believe that the weekend match will be easy.
"All they need is to play carefully and avoid unnecessary mistakes which have cost the team a lot in the recent games," he said.
Mr Khusi said he believed confidence levels were high among the players and they would want to impress their potential overseas teams.
He added that the national team could reach the Confederations Cup semifinals and they should go out there and enjoy the game while bearing in mind that the country wanted them to win.
"I wish them all the best and they are our pride," said soccer passionate, Mr Khusi.
Branda Esau, 23, from Pretoria said the public must rally behind the national team and be confident that they will make South Africa proud.
"So long as they play with discipline and take each and every move seriously nothing will stop them from beating Poland.
"I think Teko Modise and Steven Pienaar will be central in this team and I'm confident that our country will reach the FIFA Confederations Cup semifinals and even finals if they perform well.
"I wish them all the best and they must not be intimidated by big names. They must play with full confidence and believe in their strengths because they can make it," she said.
The Brazilian Coach Santana is expected to trim his 29 man squad to 23 on Thursday and the final list of players will represent the county in the Festival of Champions.
Another soccer fan, Johannes Mzilikazi, said Bafana Bafana would continue from where they left off at last weekend's match between Mauritius.
Bafana Bafana defeated Mauritius with a 2-0 win in a non-cap friendly match on Saturday.
Orlando Pirates midfielder Benson Mhlongo got South Africa off to the perfect start before a small Germiston Stadium crowd by scoring in the sixth-minute chip and SuperSport United midfielder Lance Davids scored the second goal.
Mr Mzilikazi said Poland must not underestimate the national team because they will not disappoint South Africa.
"I was so impressed, who would have known, I think they will continue form where they left off at the weekend when they play against Poland and the fact that this competition is being played here in South Africa is a huge challenge for them and an opportunity for them to put the country's soccer on the map," Mr Mzilikazi said.
He told BuaNews that he was just praying that the national team reached the semifinals, adding that most teams had a tendency to reach the semifinals if they played at home.
"We are behind you all the way; please don't disappoint us, and whatever you do know that you are not only playing to make a name for yourselves but for the country.
"There's a lot at stake; the whole world will be watching to see whether you are ready as a squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, you can't make any mistakes. We need more goals not draws," said Mr Mzilikazi.
