Dlamini Zuma gives Bafana thumbs up

Friday, June 26, 2009

Parliament - Home Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has praised Bafana Bafana's performance in the FIFA Confederations Cup, despite their heart-breaking 1-nil loss to Brazil on Thursday.

Tabling her Budget Vote in Parliament on Friday, the minister said the Confederations Cup was a tournament of champions and losing the semifinals 1-nil to one of the best teams in the world was no mean achievement for the national team.

"Bafana Bafana has done South Africa and the entire Africa continent proud. Halala Bafana Bafana Halala!" she said.

The five-time world champions beat South Africa and will now face the United States in the finals at Ellis Park on Sunday.

The national team played well for the better part of the game until their skipper Aaron Mokoena committed a dangerous tackle at the edge of the box in the 86th minute. This gave substitute and Barcelona defender, Daniel Alves, an opportunity to beat Itumeleng Khune with a free-kick volley.

While the win led Brazil to progress to the finals, Bafana Bafana will battle it out for the third position with the number one ranked team in the world, Spain, at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday at 3pm.