Johannesburg-Bafana Bafana head coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, is adamant that his team is not going to be an easy target in the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Parreira who was speaking at his team's training camp at Marks Park grounds in Johannesburg on Thursday said the team's performance and readiness for the World Cup was satisfying.
"We will surprise you (reporters) and many others. We are not going to be easy targets, it won't happen.
"I have coached top teams in the world, but I've never seen the commitment and hard work by players for a global event like the manner in which Bafana players are displaying. These players are so highly committed.
"We will not only surprise those who are looking at us as underdogs in our group, but with the current team's performance, we are confident that we will make history during this first World Cup in African soil," he said.
The Brazilian born coach who also described the mood at the camp as high said the player's commitment at the camp will make it difficult for him to select the 23-man squad for the show piece.
The host nation is in group A of the 2010 FIFA World Cup with Mexico, France and Uruguay.
"I can tell you, all of these players deserve to be on the final roster for the World Cup, but it is unfortunate that we've to drop five players," he said.
Parreira said ruling out Bafana from proceeding to the next stage of the tournament due to its current FIFA World ranking would be a big mistake. Bafana are currently ranked 90 in the FIFA World rankings.
"We are not worried about our opponents; we are focusing on our preparations for this major tournament. Our goal is to do well in the competition. We are working hard in order to proceed to the next stages of the tournament," he said.
As his group A opponents will also be playing warm up matches ahead of the World Cup, Parreira said three people from his technical team will watch all their opponents friendly matches to get an idea of how they play.
"I know that if the players perform well in the opening match against Mexico, good results will come," he said.
Parreira said he will use the remaining warm up matches to integrate his European based players with local players.
"We will use these friendly matches to give all the players an opportunity to show their best, we will be making a lot of changes in the second half of every warm up match," he said.
Recently, England-based striker, Benni McCarthy, has made headlines for his recent weight gain. Parreira said McCarthy was progressing well and losing weight swiftly.
McCarthy said he was looking forward to further success in soccer.
"I am still hungry for more success in the last couple of years of my career in order to be exemplary for young and upcoming players," he said.
McCarthy said he is committed to representing the country irrespective of the negative media about him.
Bafana's top goal scorer said he was also stunned by his teammate's recent performance when they humiliated Thailand 4-nil last Sunday.
"There is a lot of improvement on the national team and I will consider myself lucky to be on the final squad for the World Cup, but if I fail to make it, I will be 100 percent behind Bafana.
"When I joined others players, it was difficult for me at the training, but I am happy because my body is responding very well and I am catching up very quickly," he said.
South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO, Leslie Sedibe, described McCarthy as one of the country's most decorated players.
"South Africans loves you Benni and you need to give the best during the World Cup if you are selected to the final squad. As the association, we are fully behind the team," he said.
If Bafana fail to proceed to the next stage of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, they will become the first host nation to be booted out of the first round of the mega tournament.
