Bafana Bafana will approach their crunch friendly international against Japan at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm) in a more positive frame of mind.

So said German-based goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez when asked what effect and influence new head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira had on the squad in the build up to this match.

Parreira, who won the World Cup with Brazil in 1994, rejoined Bafana last month after his Brazilian countryman Joel Santana quit after a string of poor results.

Fernandez worked under Parreira when the Brazilian was in charge of Bafana in his first spell as coach that started in February 2007 until he left due to his wife's illness in April last year.

"There is more life in the squad these days since Carlos has come back. Also the players are more relaxed," Said Fernandez. But he admitted that he was facing the toughest fight of his career in securing the number one jersey with the World Cup seven months away.

The Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper is hoping that Parreira will give him a start against Japan. "It is between myself and Moeneeb (Josephs) as to who gets the nod against Japa", he said. Fernandez, who was the number one goalkeeper under Parreira in the past, said that competition for the goalkeeping spot has increased dramatically as the World Cup draws closer.

Fernandez lost his place last July as Bafana's number one keeper when Santana took charge and he installed the younger Khune (22) of Kaizer Chiefs as his first choice. Fernandez then suffered a long-term injury and was out for the next six months.

"If I get a chance to play against Japan I will make sure I shine. I will grab the opportunity with both hands as there is plenty of competition with Moeneeb, Khune, Arthur Bartman and now Hans Vonk all throwing their names into the hat."

Khune suffered a hand injury playing for Chiefs that has sidelined him for the past three months. He has only recently got back to full training. In the meantime veteran Bartman was brought in as cover at Chiefs and has been outstanding for 'Amakhosi' this season.

Said Fernandez: "It is a good sign that we have a lot of keepers on top of their game. It means that I and the others are on our toes. That is why is important that if I start against Japan I must make the most of the chance."

Fernandez said that the mood in the camp was one of confidence but they realised that 40th world ranked Japan would be a handful. Said Fernandez: "They have a player such as Shunsuke Nakamura who is deadly with free kicks and they are not going to be easy to beat. But the coach has stressed that with the World Cup around the corner we are in the final sprint as regards our preparation and need to get a result."

Bafana midfielder Macbeth Sibaya, who plays in Russia for Rubin Kaza,n said that he was also confident but he respected Japan - a well-organised and well-disciplined side.

"We have worked hard at training and are ready," Sibaya said. He added that he found the training under Parreira similar to Santana and that players had to be flexible when they played for the national side.

Meanwhile Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena put to bed any thoughts of him being axed as skipper: He said: "There is always pressure on a leader. I am a big boy now and have been in the Bafana set-up for some time. People are free to write and express their opinions. I have learnt from my mistakes. I still have the hunger. But at the end of the day it is up to the coach to decide who will be captain and as long as I have his support I will continue as captain."