FIFA Secretary-General Jerome Valcke has warned Bafana Bafana not to underestimate their 2009 Confederations Cup Group A opponents Iraq.

Valcke said that while Bafana had theoretically emerged with what was "the best possible draw" for next year's eight-nation Confederation Cup, with modestly-ranked New Zealand and Iraq included in Group A alongside seeded teams Spain and South Africa, the Iraqis had demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with for the tournament in South Africa in June by annexing the Asian Cup title.

"And what was a remarkable achievement," he added, "in view of all the turmoil in the country, was not in the category of a one-day wonder, with the Asian Championships including a string of pretty formidable teams like South Korea, Australia, Japan and Saudi Arabia.

"The Iraq team," said Valcke, "showed they are a combination of no mean resolve and determination, in addition to a good deal of skill that has been moulded effectively by the country's Brazilian coach."

It was by virtue of being the host nation that Bafana have been seeded and also given the honour of opening the Confederations Cup programme with a game against Iraq at Ellis Park on June 14.

And if Valcke is spot on, it would be folly for Bafana to imagine they are in for a serene walk in the park in the opening Confederations Cup fixture.

War-torn Iraq amazed the soccer world when the team consisting of Sunni and Shia Muslims, as well as Kurds, united the divided nation after beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the Asian Championships Final in Indonesia and accounting for Australia and South Korea in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.

Sapa