Pretoria - Italian coach Marcello Lippi, who arrived in South Africa with the national team on Monday, is curious to experience the country's heritage.
Addressing reporters in Pretoria on Monday, Coach Lippi said he had never been in South Africa before but had heard a lot of positive things about the country, including that it was beautiful.
"I am curious to experience the climate and the people, its potential and so many more things. I have never been to South Africa or Africa except for Egypt so I am very curious to know what we are going to encounter during our stay," the coach said.
He said he had had a good experience at the OR Tambo International Airport and that the hospitality at their hotel had been superb. He also said the training facilities are world class following their first training session in the afternoon.
The Azzurri, the nickname for the Italian national team, had their first training session on Monday at Southdowns College in Pretoria, ahead of Group B matches against USA, Brazil and Egypt next week.
The World Champions will play their first Group B match against USA on 15 June at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, and face African Champions Egypt on 18 June in Coca Cola Park, Johannesburg - before locking horns with Brazil in Loftus Stadium on 21 June.
Coach Lippi said during the Festival of Champions he would try to mix a few youngsters with the experienced footballers to blend a team for the World Cup next year.
The 2006 FIFA World Cup-winning coach added that his team would not underestimate any team, adding that FIFA Confederations Cup was a challenging tournament.
He said he aims to grow as a team and a working group during the Confederations Cup.
"One of the most important things is to consolidate our strengths and exploit all the opportunities that come our way in the process of developing and becoming the best we can be," he said, adding that the team expected to play excellent matches.
Coach Lippi did not hide the fact that he would love to conquer the world again, admitting the feeling of doing so in Germany was "beyond what words can express".
He, however, declined to give the reporters at the briefing any set targets.
The coach said he realised only too well the importance of enjoying a successful FIFA Confederations Cup in a country that is already a source of genuine fascination.
Asked whether he sees any pressure from rival Brazil, the experienced coach said he was under no pressure because he had a team who trained and played well together.
"Soccer is about being prepared mentally, you have to understand the psychological aspect of the game," he said.
He added that he would use the FIFA Confederations Cup starting on 14 June to build a team capable of retaining the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa next year.
