Pretoria - Cabinet has welcomed the announcement of the 23-man squad due to represent South Africa at the FIFA World Cup spectacle in a week's time, and has wished the team well.
"The team carries the hopes and pride of millions of South Africans," said Government spokesperson Themba Maseko on Thursday, following cabinet's ordinary meeting.
On Tuesday, Bafana Bafana assistant coach Pitso Mosimane, announced the squad that will represent the nation. Five players were dropped from the squad.
Cabinet said it is encouraging to see the nation going all out to support the team adding that the team's performance over the last several weeks had improved tremendously due to the efforts of the players, coach Carlos Alberto Perreira, his technical team and team management.
"With just seven days to go, Cabinet joins millions of South Africans in wishing Bafana Bafana, and all the other participating African teams, the best of luck in the forthcoming 2010 World Cup," said Maseko.
The tournament and the national team's performance said Cabinet is playing a role in promoting nation building with millions of South Africans from all walks of life wearing shirts as well as other regalia everyday to show their support for Bafana Bafana.
In the run up to the June 11 kick-off, cars on South African roads are visibly sporting the national flag. Cabinet is also pleased to see school children wearing the Bafana Bafana shirts and learning the diski dance in their school yards.
Bafana will play their last preparation match on Saturday at the Lucas Moripe stadium in Atteridgeville when they take on Denmark before they face Mexico on 11 June at Soccer City. Kick-off is at 2:15pm. Tickets for the match, which promises to be a thriller, are sold out.
