THE South African Football Supporters' Association (Safsa) has embraced an initiative to urge the country to rally behind Bafana Bafana in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup.

THE South African Football Supporters' Association (Safsa) has embraced an initiative to urge the country to rally behind Bafana Bafana in the build-up to the 2010 World Cup.

Renowned soccer lover Freddy "Saddam" Maake, Safsa's provincial organiser, said "Football Friday" should be supported by all South Africans.

The Local Organising Committee said Football Friday is an initiative to build local support and enthusiasm for Bafana Bafana.

This comes hardly a month after Irvin Khoza, the Local Organising Committee chairperson, complained about the lack of a 2010 World Cup vibe.

The initiative, a partnership of the government and other stakeholders, calls on South Africans to wear the replica jerseys of Bafana Bafana on Fridays.

Maake said those who do not have Bafana Bafana replica jerseys can wear those of the individual clubs they support.

Other stakeholders are the International Marketing Council, South African Tourism, SABC Sport and the Local Organising Committee.

"We are fully behind Football Friday. As South Africans, we must show our support for Bafana Bafana by wearing the national colours on Fridays," Maake said. "Supporters who do not have the Bafana jersey can use those of their clubs. But on the day Bafana Bafana are playing, we must all be united by wearing the national colours."

Khoza said: "With the Confederations Cup now behind us we need to feel that the show is in town. This is the real deal."