WEDNESDAY, 10.00AM:
NEWLY appointed South African Football Association director of coaching, Horst Kriete of Germany, said on Tuesday he thinks victory is possible for underdogs Bafana Bafana in the match against England at Old Trafford this Saturday.
He said the South African team, currently placed 25th in the world rankings, has “a psychological advantage because no one expects us to win. We are an unknown factor while the English are under pressure to beat us.” He added England is the home of football, “and if they take us lightly that could also work in our favour.”
Kriete warned it won’t be easy: “England are a dynamic soccer nation and will be tough nuts to crack.”
Meanwhile the English team have lost six players to withdrawals and injury — Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler need surgery, and Tony Adams, Gary Pallister, Paul Ince, Paul Merson and Les Ferdinand are unavailable for the match. Replacements are still being found.