Sao Paulo field is shocking - Igesund

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 19, during the Absa Premiership match between Maritzburg United and Moroka Swallows at Harry Gwala Stadium on May 19, 2012 in Durban, South Africa Photo by Steve Haag / Gallo Images

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MAY 19, during the Absa Premiership match between Maritzburg United and Moroka Swallows at Harry Gwala Stadium on May 19, 2012 in Durban, South Africa Photo by Steve Haag / Gallo Images

Published Sep 7, 2012

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Sao Paulo - Bafana Bafana will take the game to Brazil, new national coach Gordon Igesund has promised, when they square off against the five-time world champions in an international friendly in Sao Paulo on Friday night.

“Brazil have shown over the years what a good team they are,” Igesund said on Thursday.

“We are under no illusions. We know this will be a tough game for us, but realistically, we are going out there to win.”

The South Africans would push forward with an attacking mindset, Igesund said, as they go in search of their first victory against Brazil's senior national team.

“I'm taking a big risk tomorrow night,” he said.

“We are putting three strikers up front and we are going to take the game to them.

“If they come at us, we will do the same. We want to score goals.”

Igesund, meanwhile, lashed out at the groundsmen at Morumbi Stadium for the preparation of the pitch.

“It's a beautiful stadium but the field is shocking,” Igesund said.

“We expected it to be better than this. It's bumpy, uneven, and it's not playable.

“They played a game here last night, and we know their league must go on, but I'm sure they could have found a stadium somewhere else.

“If I'm being very honest, the field is in a shocking state.”

Igesund said there were no injury concerns in the travelling squad, with recalled striker Benni McCarthy having recovered from a niggle.

With regular skipper Steven Pienaar sidelined, as one of four injured players withdrawn in the build-up to the match, Igesund said he had not yet decided who would wear the captain's armband. - Sapa

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