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CLASSY:Brazil and Real Madrid playmaker Kaká. Picture taken from www.soccer.mu

HOT SEAT:Bafana coach Gordon Igesund

 Brazil will be smarting from Olympic loss 

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After the tears that literally flowed in the streets of Rio de Janeiro and other places, Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund is expecting a fearsome backlash in the international encounter against the Samba Kings in Sao Paulo on September 7.

"Had Brazil finally captured the Olympic trophy they have coveted for so long," said Igesund yesterday, "they might have been tempted to give the mainly Under-23 squad of players a rewarding victory salute against us. Now I expect this will be the last thing on their minds after what was frankly a disappointing performance against Mexico."

Instead, the Bafana coach now believes Brazil will field their strongest available line-up against South Africa. This means that seasoned international campaigners like Robinho of AC Milan, Real Madrid's Kaká, Ramires and David Luiz from Chelsea, Inter Milan's Julio Cesar and Maicon, and possibly even Ronaldinho if he has rediscovered lost form, will all be considered for selection.

"Don't forget," said Igesund, "the Olympic Games soccer tournament is designed mainly for Under-23 players and none of these stars participated. But now Brazil will already be turning their attention to building a squad for the hosting of the 2014 World Cup and they are going to pull no punches."

In addition, Igesund pointed out the game in Sao Paulo was designed as part of Brazil's independence celebrations "and apart from attempting to cement their claims for places in the World Cup team, the players will have this additional motivation to display their best form".

Despite all this, Igesund said he remained confident Bafana will be able to put up a creditable performance in what will be a huge test of character, skill and temperament for his team.

"There are those who are suggesting I should not have been entrusted with this baptism of fire for my first game with Bafana," added Igesund, "and been given a more accommodating test. But I'm not approaching the match in this negative frame of mind.

"It's a great challenge and there is a great deal to benefit from the experience."

As to his preparation in compiling the Bafana squad, Igesund revealed that he had now abandoned plans to go overseas before the Brazil game and hold meetings with the various South African players who are based in Europe and Asia.

"I've simply run out of time," explained the Bafana coach. "There is so much work required to be done right here to examine all the candidates based in the PSL. There are now little more than three weeks left before the Brazil game."

Comments

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Tue May 21 22:04:42 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 14, 2012

Stumaeza

I doubt if Brazil will field their stars against Bafunny Bafunny - we'll play their under 23 finish and klaar
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Aug 14, 2012

Bra_A

@ Stumaeza
I doubt if Brazil will field their stars against Bafunny Bafunny - we'll play their under 23 finish and klaar.
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Whatever way you look at it. Their under 23 is their first team this days. The lost to Argentina full strength team 3 - 2 in New York.
The Team Bafana will play in Brazil will be considered strongest by Brazilians. Kaka may not even be there come 2014 & as such cannot be considered.
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Aug 14, 2012

MicaParis

I had the leverage of watching the Brazilian under 23 during the Olympics and I must say they are not that good like the 2003 team which lost the under 20 Championship in Egypt were Brazil lost 1 - 0 against the UAE, the team which comprised the likes of Ronaldhino and Robinho. Even if that weakest Brazilian under 23 by history can play us on the coming game they will still manage to beat us 3 - 0. We do not have any good players to match that weak Brazilian talent! Our national team is very weak, I do even expect a first round exit in next year's African Cup of Nations. If Brazil bring their full strength team we will get 7 to 8 nil drubbing, our team is not even coming close to something we can be proud of, is very very weak, we still have a lot to do before we can go back to the form that we displayed through the class of 1996. Those who know World standard of soccer will agree with me, unlike if it was cricket or rugby!
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Aug 14, 2012

Shwabada

@Bra_A
. Whatever way you look at it. Their under 23 is their first team this days. The lost to Argentina full strength team 3 - 2 in New York.
The Team Bafana will play in Brazil will be considered strongest by Brazilians. Kaka may not even be there come 2014 & as such cannot be considered.

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Well said Brazil are preparing for 2014 & 2018 this is a nation that knows what is called development. The mistake that one would make is comparing this team to its past teams. This is the team that played a 3-2 game with a senior team of Argentina and went to the final of the olympics. They might have not won but they reaching the final tells you they are a team to watch out for. As for our national team Bafana Bafana let us not be fooled our boys wont be beaten by 7 or 8 goals. Yes we are currently not playing the best football but if you put Bafana against a better opporsition they play a better game win or loose. If you put them against a team that play a open game the likes of Spain, Brazil and others teams that dont use defence as more of their strength our boys tend to end up with a 3-2 loss. The worse score that will loose by if we loose will be 2-0.

One might say i am dreaming but my experience of being a loyal fan of our country through thick and thin through good times and mostly bad times i have learned that we might loose against Botswana and play a great game against Spain or win against Egypt.

Soccer is a strange game for 10 season Pirates won nothing for 2 seasons they have won 6 trophies. Spain were not a power house now they are winning everything that they come accross. Man United dominated England and they were shocked by Man City last season.

Who knows what will happen in Brazi? South Africans we have a new coach a new technical team lets give them a chance and see what they have for us.
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Aug 14, 2012

Sifebe

Even if Brazil can bring their under20 we'll struggle. There are no weak teams for Banana Bafana
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Aug 14, 2012

2nevvy4u

Kaka ke le sandawana kikikikikikiki sechaba sa ntate Motsepe se atile.
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Aug 14, 2012

MaaLkOp

I strongly have faith in our boys 2 shut up critics come September 7....mark my words
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Aug 14, 2012

Stumaeza

@2nevvy4u
In your wet dreams.

We'll struggle to beat Brazil's under 23 team with our A team finish & klaar, let's not expect miracles on this one.
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Aug 14, 2012

Shredder

My coach, this is Brazil we are talking about. They don't need guys like Ramires, Maicon and other superstars. They can easily field that team that played in the Olympics. Unlike us who would call guys like Steven Pienaar and other overseas players to play against Botswana, they have a very huge pool of talented youngsters who can easily beat Bafana. I was following the Brazil world tour of those young stars and I'm impressed.
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Aug 14, 2012

shakashaka

Shwabada nto yakuthi utsho kwavokotheka mhlekazi ngekhe ndiwamoshe tu. Mazen'ethole
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