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‘Losing not an option’ for host South Africa

Both sides are in Group A action on the first day with Spain facing Oceania Nations Cup winners New Zealand in Rustenburg after South Africa…

Both sides are in Group A action on the first day with Spain facing Oceania Nations Cup winners New Zealand in Rustenburg after South Africa open the eight-team tournament against Asian champions Iraq in Johannesburg.

While the Spanish will be hoping to test their credentials as a possible World Cup winner with a 14th straight triumph, South Africa know their match is the first step in a stiff examination of how competitive they will be when the world arrives in 2010.

‘Bafana Bafana’ have been far from convincing in recent years and the prospect of a poor run at next year’s tournament is seen as potentially damaging to the event.

“Drawing or losing is not an option. We need three points to build added confidence, not just in the squad but among our fans,” captain Aaron Mokoena said.

“We are aware of the pressure on us and we are ready to meet those challenges.”

Scheduled to face Iraq and then New Zealand in their opening matches, South Africa were initially confident of advancing to the semi-finals but have since tempered their gusto after solid midweek performances by their opponents.

Iraq impressed in a 1-1 draw with Poland in a warm-up game in Cape Town on Tuesday while New Zealand scored three times before losing 4-3 to world champions Italy in Pretoria a day later.

“We underestimate them at our peril. There is no way we are going to do that,” Mokoena added.

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