FOR once, a comment by a Bafana Bafana player ahead of a match is not about mouthing meaningless platitudes. It was not the first time we had heard a player say what Everton star Steven Pienaar said this week - "this is an important match".

FOR once, a comment by a Bafana Bafana player ahead of a match is not about mouthing meaningless platitudes. It was not the first time we had heard a player say what Everton star Steven Pienaar said this week - "this is an important match".

All matches by a national sports team are important. It is the only civilised way of exploring our jingoistic instincts.

But even in football where mouthing meaningless humbug has been elevated to an art form, Pienaar had a point. Beating Poland at Orlando Stadium tomorrow will go a long way towards ensuring that there are bums to fill the already sold out first Confederations Cup match against Iraq on June 14.

Should Pienaar, or any other player, be asked the same question again after tomorrow's match, they should not be shy. It too, is very important. Now, let's see you boys play as if you believe what you are saying.