Parliament - President Jacob Zuma might be one of the thousands of fans who will be cheering for Bafana Bafana tonight as they lock horns with Brazil in the second FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal.
Addressing the National Assembly on Thursday, during his response to the Presidency Budget Vote, President Zuma said if logistics allow, he will join the rest of the South African fans at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg, in support of the national team.
"Again, we wish Bafana Bafana well; and, logistics allowing, I should be able to join other fans at the stadium this evening as they play one of the most important matches in their history," he said.
President Zuma added that it has been a while since the national team reached the semifinals in international or continental games.
"This is an achievement that they should share with the whole nation. And of course we want them to go to the finals," he said.
Bafana Bafana is expected to make the nation proud by winning this important encounter against five-time world champions Brazil in the much anticipated second semifinal of the Festival of Champions.
The Brazilians are no doubt the stronger side and Joel Santana's boys will need to pull out all the stops to beat the team from South America.
However, in football, anything is possible - and the game between USA and Spain certainly proved this as the low ranked Americans beat the FIFA number one Spanish team 2-nil in a bruising first semifinal match of the tournament on Wednesday night.
South Africa is expected to put up a fight with the likes of striker Bernard Parker, who helped South Africa gain a spot in the semis thanks to his brilliant brace against New Zealand.
However, one disadvantage for Bafana is the inability by Coach Santana to make timely and well calculated changes to his side.
It is this underutilisation of players that drowned Bafana Bafana in their match against Italy, and if the national team coach can learn that if it doesn't work, you change it, then the team will be heading in the right direction.
And if Aaron Mokoana and the boys can display the same performance and fighting spirit they showed against New Zealand, they can definitely give the Brazilians a run for their money.
Meanwhile, Coach Santana has affirmed that Bafana Bafana is ready to face Brazil and the Samba King's Coach Dunga said this is not going to be an easy match. But only time will tell.
