“Spider” who donned the gold and black jersey 114 times finding the back of the net twice, won back-to-back league championship with Amakhosi before playing his trade in Europe joined Bafana Bafana camp this week after a long season that saw his team being relegated from the Bundesliga.

“I am fully focused now on Confederations Cup, nothing else,” said the man who used to be known at the Village as “Tsipa”.

“My mind is here and I am happy to be in the camp with all the lads. It was good to see spirits high among the guys when I arrived this week. The guys have been all smiles despite the intense training sessions we have had in the past couple of day.”

Fernandez believes that the withdrawal of players due to injuries might destabilize the preparations but had some words of consolation for Lucas Thwala and Surprise Moriri who were both withdrawn because of injuries.

“It unsettles the squad when you have some of the best players missing in the tournament because of injury. I am hoping the guys will be able to bounce back to the team after the tournament. I was in the same situation back in Ghana (2008 African Cup of Nations) when I sustained an injury. I am sure though we have guys who are going to come in and fill the gaps that have been left out by injured players,” said Fernandez.

Fernandez sees Spain as the biggest threat to Bafana Bafana but emphasizes the importance of doing well in the first two games.

“We have to get maximum points against Iraq and New Zealand first before we can worry about Spain. We should be qualified by the time we meet them. They are a quality side and without a doubt the no. 1 team in the world currently. It is going to be a good experience for the guys to come up against some of the best players in the world,” added Fernandez.