Caution is the key word as South Africa take on Madagascar in the African Nations Cup on Sunday
SOCCER: Clinton Asary
THIS weekend all attention will be focused on the national squad, who kick off their African Nations Cup campaign with an away game against Madagascar in Antanarivo.
Drawn in Group Five alongside Zambia, Gabon, Madagascar and Mauritius, the South Africans will be hoping to be one of the two teams at the top of the group that will qualify for the finals, to be held in Kenya, January 1996. Initially, the Seychelles was also drawn in the same group, but withdrew from the tournament earlier this month.
Of their opposition South Africa are familiar with two countries, Zambia and Mauritius, having been grouped with the two in qualifying rounds for the 1994 competition, the first time that South Africa played in the Nations Cup.
Lack of international experience cost South Africa dearly and it showed clearly in the qualifying rounds as they lost both games against Zambia. The Mauritians (who ended last in the group) effectively ended Bafana Bafana’s hopes of qualifying for the finals, when they held South Africa to a 1-1 draw at the Rand Stadium.
When South Africa play Madagascar on Sunday they will be facing a side with a formidable home record. Playing in their eighth Nations Cup competition, the Malagasy have only lost two of 11 home ties, with Zambia and Cameroon among their victims.
When the draw became known, national coach Clive Barker said that all South Africa had to do, apart from winning their home games, was to get a point from their away fixtures. This, he said, would be good enough to end in the top two, thus qualifying for the finals.
“Caution will be the key word on Sunday,” said Barker, “Madagascar have an excellent home record, and we have to be sure to come away with at least a point.”
In announcing his squad for Sunday’s game Barker has sent out a clear signal that a draw will be the main priority. He has dropped seven members of the squad that went to Australia, six of them strikers. The other player dropped, left-back Rudolf Seale, struggled in Australia and his omission was expected.
He has reinforced the squad with four new caps: defender, Edward Motale, and three midfielders, Innocent Buthelezi, “Innocent” Mcwango and David Byrne, all known for their defensive qualities. Motale, Buthelezi and Mcwango play for log leaders Orlando Pirates, while Byrne plies his trade for Hellenic.
At the age of 34 Byrne might not have much of an international career ahead of him, but has been influential in Hellenic’s good run in the league thus far and a few brilliant displays saw him force his way into reckoning for the national squad. Though chosen as a striker, he is equally comfortable in defence and the midfield.
Barker has also recalled Greek-based striker Pitso Mosimane which is not surprising as the coach has been keen to find the right man to partner Phil Masinga up front. Mosimane might just be the man.
Barker had also mentioned Belgian based Mark Williams, who has been in good form for his club Molembeek. Williams will probably come into consideration at a later stage, as the coach has said he will be using a “horses for courses” system, as some players perform better at home than away, and the squad will be chosen with this in mind.
Both the English-based players, Lucas Radebe and Phil Masinga, who are on the books of Leeds United, are included in the squad. While Masinga has already played for Leeds in the Premiership, Radebe still has to get a work permit.
Masinga has said he will only represent South Africa if the games do not clash with his English programme.
“People should understand that I am trying to establish myself in England, and to start missing games now will be detrimental to my progress,” said Masinga.
Turkish-based Steve Khomphela and John “Shoes” Moshoeu joined the squad on Tuesday. Khomphela can consider himself lucky to have been retained after a string of poor performances before and during the two-match tour of Australia.
With Sizwe Motaung a doubtful starter because of injury, Khomphela, who retains the captaincy, might be moved to the right-back position.
If Khomphela is played at right-back, then Mark Fish will probably play alongside Radebe in the heart of the defence. Barker might even opt to retain Pretoria City defender Andrew Tucker, who played in both games against Australia, though Radebe’s experience should stand him in good stead.
Coach Clive Barker is confident that South Africa will do well. “No international game is easy, but I am confident that we can do it,” said Barker.
By Sunday night we will know just how tough the road ahead will be.