There is a very thin line between Bafana Bafana and greatness going into their crucial Afcon quarterfinal encounter against Mali in Durban. It must be said, judging by both team’s performances in the tournament so far, both have a 50/50 chance going into the match. But the fact that the match is a winnable one for Bafana should be a rather inspiring element.
The team’s valiant comeback against Morocco last Sunday is evidence of the desire to fight for the nation. These are the players that turned down bonuses for the group matches. They refused to be likened to some former Bafana players who were more concerned about money than the interests of the nation. And for that, they deserve everyone’s respect!
Their performance against Angola and Morocco proved they were soldiers ready to fight for their country. Itumeleng Khune was the hero. May Mahlangu was the hero. Siyabonga Sangweni was the hero. Each and every player on the field was individually the nation’s hero.
Ahead of the tournament, the little time that Bafana coach, Gordon Igesund had with the team was big concern since most of the host team’s opponents had had more time to gel together and play like teams, and not a bunch of individuals.
It must be noted that while Bafana Bafana still lack in terms of collective performance and playmaking function, among other factors, individual effort in the team has seen Bafana thus far.
But notwithstanding the outcome of the match, the individual performances by these players should be taken as a tip of an iceberg with regard to the abundant talent that is in this country.
The quality of the Bafana players may still be a mismatch compared to the Malian players’, but the individual performances we have seen so far can see Bafana Bafana through to the semifinals up against Ivory Coast. Too many times during the game the players make extra effort to find each other, which compensates for the little time they had to prepare for the tournament, among some of the odds in whose shadows they lurked before the tournament kicked off.
Mali has been inconsistent since the tournament started. They have also been failing to play as a collective for an entire match, with only the outstanding quality of the likes of former Barcelona midfielder, Seydou Keita keeping them in the game. That kind of approach is not expected to trouble Bafana Bafana.
However, the offensive approach, which paid dividends for the team, seemed to expose the defensive central pair of Bongani Khumalo and Siyabonga Sangweni. And Igesund was spot on in his analysis for Mali’s play when he said, “They like to slow things down. They like to knock the ball around. They’re very comfortable on the ball.” That is the kind of approach that could really crack Bafana’s already shaky defence open. But having noted these strengths of Mali, Igesund is expected to have a counter plan.
Bafana Bafana do have a chance and we will rally behind and give them our support.
But notwithstanding the outcome of the match, the individual performances by these players should be taken as a tip of an iceberg with regard to the abundant talent that is in this country. The football powers that be in this country have failed this country’s football lovers dismally. They have subjected die-hards fans in this country to accept an inferior position in international football for far too long. For far too long, the country has failed to plan beyond the starting line-up of the following game, while many other footballing countries – whose football powers have the best interest of football at heart – put in place 4, 8 and 10 year-long plans to conquer the world.
They are now sitting back waiting to busk in these players’ glory and use Bafana’s achievement as a shield when told to develop football instead of fighting for positions and money.
These players, despite the odds stacked against them, have proven that this country is richly talented and this talent, if taken good care of, could take on the world…let alone Africa!
Go Bafana…
Sipho Kekana is an SABC Digital News Producer.
– By Sipho Kekana
