Although the team will be without many of their foreign-based stars, there will still be some tough competition in the Four Nations tournament
SOCCER:Lungile Madywabe
POLITICAL turmoil in Africa has for a long time undermined the continent’s ability to fullfil its potential in world sport, especially the world’s number one, soccer, and the South African Football Association (Safa) decision to withdraw Nigeria’s participation in the annual Simb Four Nations tournament again throws football in Africa into a state of confusion.
Tournaments of this nature are important because they not only strengthen our African ties but also test our weaknessess. Nigeria, currently ranked six and 35 respectively in African and world football, would have brought their experience in international competition with them.
Nigeria’s status in the finals of the African Nations Cup next year stays the same until the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rules otherwise. South Africa cannot refuse them entry if CAF has not expelled them from the competiton. However, a difficult problem would arise if any of the 16 finalists refuse to play
Nigeria’s replacements Zimbabwe are also seasoned campaigners in international football. When South Africa was re-admitted into international football in 1992 they were beaten 4-1 by Zimbabwe in Harare. The secretary general of the Zimbabwe Football Association Phil Hwata could not confirm that Peter Ndlovu and Bruce Grobbelaar will be coming, saying:”We have contacted both of them and they are willing to come.” Ndlovu’s younger brother Adam has confirmed his availability.
Since that famous Harare drubbing, the two sides have drawn one game and South Africa reversed the 1992 beating last year when Leeds striker Philemon Masinga scored in a friendly international in Mmabatho to give South Africa a 1-0 win.
Hwata said Zimbabwe’s presence in Johannesburg should not be taken lightly as they hope to show that they should be in the African Nations Cup to be staged from January 13 to February 3 next year.
Most of the Zimbabwe players, including Ndlovu and Grobbelaar, refused to travel to Zaire for their CAF qualifying match against Zaire fearing the Ebola virus. Zimbabwe subsequently lost the game.
Meanwhile the Zambian squad that arrived on Tuesday were without four of their international players. Saudi Arabia-based players Harrison Chongo and Elijah Litana had not joined the squad and their coach Roald Poulsen said he was still awaiting their arrival. Johnson Bwalya and Kalusha Bwalya (no relation), who is based in Switzerland, were absent.
Poulsen said they did not have most of their foreign stars but they have brought a respectable squad. He argued that one cannot read too much into these games. “It is a good opportunity to test the players and the squad as a whole but it becomes a totally different situation when you play an official match as you will see when we come back in January.”
South Africa have played Zambia four times with Zambia winning two, South Africa winning the friendly international last year at Ellis Park and one draw in the CAF qualifying game in Lusaka last year.
The fourth team in the tournament, Egypt, will be coming here for the first time and they have never played South Africa in any capacity. But they have a strong team and will be force to be reckoned with in the African Nations Cup next year.
South Africa have recalled most of their European-based players for the tournament, but unfortunately they will only arrive in the country next week. In the meantime coach Clive Barker will have to make do with local talent. Eric Tinkler, who plays in Portugal, is the only one available for the duration of the tournament.
The national team’s training sessions ohave been disrupted because of domestic games, with some of the players having to return to their teams because of club commitments. Orlando Pirates requested that their players (Edward Motale, Mark Fish, John Moeti, Marks Maponyane and Innocent Mncwango), be left out of these games because of their involvement in the Africa Champions Cup final against Asec of Ivory Coast on December 2. Assistant coach Phil Setshedi said: “We are still to make a decision”.
Another interesting question for the coach is Doctor Khumalo who has been ruled out of club soccer because of the botched transfer deal to an Argetinian team Oeste. He has not played professional football since the Mozambique friendly but the indications are that he will be played. Anyway he is training with the squad.
“He will be considered because of his reputation,” said
Barker’s boys cannot afford to slip up in any of these games. If they hope to win the public confidence for next years CAF games they have to start to impress now.
The tournament is played on a round robin system with South Africa tackling Zambia and Zimbabwe against Egypt in a double-header at Mmabatho on Sunday. The next round of matches will be at the FNB stadium next weekend.