FIFA Warns Bafana Not To Underestimate Iraq

FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke has warned Bafana Bafana not to underestimate Iraq in next year's Confederations Cup.

5 Dec 2008 10:07:18

South Africa national football team (AFP)

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South Africa have been warned against complacency by Jerome Valcke. The FIFA secretary-general said that while Bafana had emerged with what seems to be 'the best possible draw' for next year's eight-nation Confederations Cup, with modestly-ranked New Zealand and Iraq included in Group A alongside seeded teams Spain and South Africa, the Iraqis had demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with for the tournament in South Africa as winners of the Asian Cup title.

“That was a remarkable achievement, in view of all the turmoil in the country,” said the FIFA representative. The Asian Championships included a selection of tough opponents such as South Korea, Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia, and was therefore no pushover tournament.

Valcke continued, “The Iraq team showed they are a combination of resolve and determination, in addition to a good deal of skill that has been moulded effectively by the country's Brazilian coach.”

War-torn Iraq stunned the football world when a team consisting of Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Kurds, united the divided nation after beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Asian Championships final in Indonesia, while beating Australia and South Korea in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, respectively.

Peter Pedroncelli, Goal.com