South African joy after victory over Brazil

17 September 2000


South Africa beat Olympic favourites Brazil 3-1 on Sunday in a victory
described by coach Ephraim Mashaba as "the greatest achievement" in the
country's soccer history."
Although the result has not secured them a place in the last eight of the
competition or eliminated the Brazilians, Mashaba said it would have an
enormous impact on soccer in South Africa, which plunged into despair when
it failed in July to win the right to stage the 2006 World Cup finals.

"It is our best result since we returned to the international arena, it is
our greatest achievement to date. Winning the African Championship was one
thing, but we do not usually make much of an impact in tournaments like
this," he said.

"Nigeria beat Brazil in the last Olympics and now we have done the same
thing and you cannot under-estimate the importance of victories like these
for young African players who will soon be members of their senior
international teams. It is a huge success for us, a victory of some
magnitude."

While Mashaba was delighting in his side's victory by a somewhat flattering
scoreline, the immediate future of Brazil coach Wanderley Luxemburgo is
looking a lot less rosy.

He is already under pressure because of Brazil's lacklustre start and faces
charges of tax irregularities when he returns home.

The Olympics were his chance to redeeem his reputation by delivering
Brazil's first ever Olympic soccer gold medal.

Despite the setback, Luxemburgo was still optimistic of Brazil's chances,
saying afterwards: "I had a talk to the players and of course we are sure we
can beat Japan and win the Olympic gold medal."

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