We here at Mad About Fútbol are excited about the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup as the host nation of South Africa prepares for the 2010 World Cup. The Confederations Cup serves as a small test run for the The Great Tournament and at Mad About Fútbol were going to preview all 8 teams in the tournament.

Let's breakdown about the hosts:

SOUTH AFRICA

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION NAME:
South African Football Association

FIFA COUNTRY CODE:
RSA

TEAM NICKNAME:
Bafana Bafana

HOW THEY QUALIFIED:
Host Nation of 2010 World Cup

CONFEDERATIONS CUP HISTORY:
2009 - 2nd Appearance
Eliminated in Round 1 of 1997 tournament

COACH:
Joel Santana (BRA)

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Even though all-time leading goal scorer Benni McCarthy is not the roster and Everton playmaker Steven Pienaar is on the roster, look for Orlando Pirates' attacking midfielder Teko Modise.

The 26-year old has been linked with a move to the English Premiership with Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic rumored to be interested. Modise won the 08-09 South African Premier Soccer League Footballer of the Year and Players' Player of the Year in leading Orlando Pirates to a 2nd place finish in South Africa's top club league.

SOUTH AFRICA OVERVIEW:
South Africa should be confident going into the Confederations Cup having won 5 of their last 6 friendlies. The Bafana Bafana is in Group A with Spain, Iraq, and New Zealand and look to give their fans some excitement in preview of what to expect in 2010. Joel Santana's squad has a good mix of youth and experience with all-time caps leader captain Aaron Mokoena providing leadership. On paper, South Africa should finish 2nd in the group as they will be boosted by the home field advantage.

CONFEDERATIONS CUP SCHEDULE:
Group A = June 14 vs. Iraq, June 17 vs. New Zealand, June 20 vs. Spain

ROSTER - JERSEY NUMBER LISTED NEXT TO NAME:
Goalkeepers (3):
1-Rowen Fernández (Arminia Bielefeld, GER), 16-Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), 22-Brian Baloyi (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders (8):
2-Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), 3-Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, ISR), 4-(C) Aaron Mokoena (Blackburn Rovers, ENG), 14-Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), 15-Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates), 19-Bryce Moon (Panathinaikos, GRE), 20-Bongani Khumalo (Supersport United), 23-Morgan Gould (Supersport United)

Midfielders (8):
5-Benson Mhlongo (Orlando Pirates), 6-MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, RUS), 7-Lance Davids (Supersport United), 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs), 10-Steven Pienaar (Everton, ENG), 11-Elrio van Heerden (Club Brugge, BEL), 12-Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), 13-Kagiso Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows)

Forwards (4):
9-Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), 17-Bernard Parker (Red Star Belgrade, SRB), 18-Thembinkosi Fanteni (Maccabi Haifa, ISR), 21-Katlego Mashego (Orlando Pirates)

The next nation we will breakdown on Mad About Fútbol's Confederations Cup Preview is Iraq. So keep logging on to Mad About Fútbol to get the info you need for the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.