Bafana Bafana need at least a point against Spain on Saturday to join them in the Confederations Cup semifinals, but with the European champions on fire it is a formidable task.

The host nation drew with Iraq and beat New Zealand in their other two Group A games to sit on four points behind Spain on six.

New Zealand are already out of contention and Iraq have one point but with the Kiwis to play and it could all come down to goal difference.

South Africa coach Joel Santana is all too aware of the job ahead.

"We are in a good position now but from a mathematical point of view we don't have a place in the semi-finals yet," he said.

"The next game will be very difficult but we're proud and happy to have given a convincing performance against New Zealand.

"We left no doubt on the field, now we have to focus on Spain.

"We will try to play as equals against Spain, we have to keep our feet firmly on the floor and play without nerves.

"We've got two days to work on it. I have to bring the players down to earth, give them peace of mind so we can have a beautiful game against Spain."

Some Spain players complained that the cacophony of noise generated by the trumpet-blowing fans affected their concentration against Iraq and this could work in South Africa's favour.

With their place in the last four assured, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque can afford to relax and rotate his team.

But they have a big motivation to win. If they do so, they will have clocked 15 straight victories in a row, a new world record.

They will also match the 35-match unbeaten streak held by Brazil.

Del Bosque said he would approach the match as he always did — to win — regardless of records.

"I'm happy because we have achieved our first goal which was to qualify for the semi-finals and now we can approach the third match in a calmer way," he said.

"But when we face South Africa we will be playing to win, regardless of records.

"It is a serious international competition and you can't think about records, only about winning."

Asked whether Spain could win the tournament, Del Bosque was non-committal, preferring to focus on one game at a time.

"It is always tough to talk about future," he said.

"The main thing now is not to under-rate what we have achieved and keep the winning mindset going."

Santana brushed aside the subplot to Saturday's game involving Spain's world record bid, saying: "I congratulate Spain but I'm not worried about their record.

"They're number one in the world, European champions, they have a group of experienced players but for us it's for our team to play with maturity.

"We have to respect Spain but we have to be serious in defence and play with joy when we hold the ball."

Spain and the runner-up of Group A will likely meet either Brazil or Italy in the semi-finals.

AFP

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