Bafana Bafana are just one point away from qualifying for the semi-finals of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

This comes after Bafana defeated New Zealand two-nil at a packed Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday night (17 June). South Africa put on a splendid performance that had coach Joel Natalino Santana full of praise for his players, â€œit was a difficult game, we had to win and we played well in defence. We knew New Zealand like high balls so we played the ball on the ground, and we won with confidence, it was a great victory,â€ said Santana.

But it was not just the win that made Santana happy, it was the way it was achieved, â€œwe felt at ease, we have been working hard and tonight we saw the results.

Terror Fanteni and Tim Brown

We should have scored more because we defended well and had mobility in attack, it was difficult to play well in such a competition and win â€“ but we did it,â€ added Santana.

The Brazilian was quick to point out that more hard work lies ahead. â€œWe left no doubt on the field tonight now we have to think about Spain which is the most difficult side in this group. We are not moved by their record of having not lost in a long time, they have a group of experienced players so we have to play with maturity, Spain plays well and I think we will have a great game,â€ said Santana about Bafana Bafana's next match against Spain in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

Striker Bernard Parker, who scored two goals to earn a man of the match award, was pleased with his performance.

In the match against Iraq, Bafana Bafana should have scored but Parker's body was in the way and stopped the ball on the line, an act that left him worried, â€œafter that incident my teammates supported me saying such things happen in football and that I must not worry about it; they added that we need to focus on the next two games, so when the coach put me in the starting line-up my confidence grew because it showed that he had faith in me,â€ said Parker.

Earlier in the day Spain was the first side in the tournament to qualify for the next round following a one-nil victory over Iraq.

Spain has six points while South Africa is sitting on four â€“ Bafana Bafana now need a point to ensure qualification. If South Africa loose and the Iraqis beat New Zealand then goal difference will be used to determine the winner.

Meanwhile midfielder Macbeth Sibaya last night earned his 50^th cap for the national team. Sibaya made his Bafana Bafana debut in a World Cup qualifier in 2001 against Malawi. He also played all three matches for South Africa at the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea.

He joins an elite group of players who have reached that milestone including captain Aaron Mokoena who has 86 caps. Last night Sibaya was presented with a Bafana Bafana jersey written his name and the number 50 on the back by the team at a dinner after the match against New Zealand.