SOUTH African president Jacob Zuma paid a visit to the Bafana Bafana squad Wednesday, who urged them to ignore the critics.
Zuma said he believed the team was ready for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and also praised the organisation of the event at such short notice after South Africa took over from war-torn Libya.
“There are too many critics in this country, and I was telling the team that others who are critics have never touched the ball and they don’t know how it feels on the pitch,” Zuma said.
“I was telling them that we are satisfied that the team is ready; we have seen it in the recent matches they have played.
“We are satisfied that the team is well prepared for the tournament and we came to say to them they must relax and not be tense and not listen to the critics. I am confident this time than any other time that we will show people what we are made of as South Africans.
“I also wanted to tell the team that the entire country is behind them, even those that are critical; it is because of the love they have for the team. I said I want to touch the cup because if it is won by another country I won’t touch it. Looking at them I can tell they are ready and confident.”
Bafana Bafana kick-off their campaign with a meeting against Cape Verde at Soccer City on Saturday and Zuma praised the work done by the LOC to be ready for the competition.
“Critics will always be there, some of them are paid to be critics and they are doing their job. I think we have done our best. Bear in mind that this tournament was supposed to be in Libya, so this tournament was not given the normal time for preparations and people who are making criticism forget that,” Zuma says.
“We had to start very late as a result of that. I am happy and I think we are ready and I think the country is ready. Fortunately, we have the facilities. We might not have done everything precisely because of how we got to host this edition but we are more than ready,” said President Zuma.
Bafana coach Gordon Igesund said for the state President to visit the team, it was a huge morale booster.
“It is a privilege when the number one citizen of the country comes to meet the players and give support. It is always important for the players and the whole team that he made time in his busy schedule to be with us today. We really feel honoured,” the coach said.