The Bafana Bafana players are looking forward to Tuesday night's friendly game against Australia at Loftus Road Stadium (kick-off 9pm SA time).

"I have never seen players arrive for a Bafana camp in a state of excitement as we witnessed on Sunday," team manager Sipho Nkumane said.

He added: "With the Confederations Cup getting closer, the players know this is a big chance for them to stake a claim for a place in the Confederations Cup squad.

"The players need to impress with coach Joel Santana casting his net wide and keeping his promise of giving everyone a chance and building on the platform build by (Carlos Alberto) Parreira."

The match against the Socceroos is being used by Santana as preparation for next month's African Nations Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Port Elizabeth.

Bafana have to beat the high-flying Super Eagles to stand any chance of getting into the final phase of qualifying for the continental showpiece in Angola in 2010.

Star striker Benni McCarthy has honoured his call-up and the Blackburn Rovers striker will lead the attack with veteran star Sibusiso Zuma, who now plies his trade with Mamelodi Sundowns.

But Nkumane is angry at 'Downs for refusing to release their other striker Katlego Mphela, who was injured during the warm-up before Sunday's MTN8 semifinal, first leg clash against SuperSport United at the Super Stadium.

However, Nkumane got a second opinion and said there was nothing seriously wrong with Mphela.

"After he missed the 8pm Sunday flight I rebooked him on the 11.30pm flight, but he was told by the club's assistant coach, Harris Chueu, not to travel to London. I am disappointed by Sundowns' attitude."

But Nkumane admitted there is not much that Safa can do to punish Sundowns.

"I tried to phone Chueu three times on Sunday night and he did not pick up my call. I wanted him to explain why he told Mphela not to travel to London. It is an opportunity lost for the youngster," concluded Nkumane.