Bafana: 'We are ready for Mexico'

The hosts take on Mexico in the opening match of the June 11 - July 11 World Cup in a sold-out Soccer City, where some 90,000 Bafana fans will be attempting to blow South Africa to victory.
Much has been said about the vuvuzela-blowing South African supporters and Khune believes they are going to play their part. "Our loyal supporters will play their part. We are not looking at a draw - we want three points for a win and kick off the tournament in style."
"We are ready and prepared to show the country and the world what we are made of," the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper said at a press conference in Johannesburg.
He said that they were not too concerned about their opponents. "We focus on ourselves, not our opponents or individuals."
Expectations in South Africa are sky-high after a run of good results in friendly matches that has seen Bafana extend their unbeaten run to 12 games after beating Denmark 1-0 on the weekend.
Defender Matthew Booth, however, said that the results from friendlies was nothing to go on. "Friendlies don't count for anything and Mexico will be tougher to beat, but we'll be ready for them."
Booth said he was confident that the team could advance past the first round.
"I don't think many of our players are looking past the first hurdle. Once we have played that game I think the focus will shift, and it depends who we draw in the knockout stages, but anything is possible," he said when asked how Bafana would do if they reach the second round.
Striker Bernard Parker, who won the Dutch league championship with Twente in his first season with the club, said that the players were focussed on getting out of the group stage.
"And then anything is possible as anything can happen in knockout games."
For South African midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala, the match against Mexico will be a special one as he achieves his 50th cap. "I am living the biggest dream of all - playing for my country in the World Cup.
"And the cherry on top is reaching the 50-cap milestone against Mexico in the first World Cup match ever played in South Africa. That has made the day even more special for me."
Tshabalala, who also plays for Kaizer Chiefs, said that he believed their Brazilian coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has managed to bring out the best in the players.
"He has tremendous experience of the World Cup and international football. Add to that our new-found fitness and five months down the line we are more than ready for Mexico and the other challenges the World Cup will throw up at us."