With his experience of African conditions and solidity in defence, Gavin `Stability Unit’ Lane looks the right man for the job in South Africa’s vital clash with Congo
SOCCER: Andrew Muchineripi
GAVIN LANE could complete a fairytale rise to international football this weekend when South Africa play Congo in a crucial qualifying match for the 1998 World Cup finals.
The countries share first place in Group 3 with four points each after two rounds and victory for Bafana Bafana in the Atlantic town of Pointe-Noire would tighten their grip on a section that includes Zare and Zambia. Lane, a 30-year-old defender for Orlando Pirates, received his first national call-up last week and if coach Clive Barker opts for a five-man defence, the man they call “Stability Unit” should make his debut.
Barker used five at the back in the 0-0 away draw with Zambia three months ago. Sizwe Motaung and David Nyathi operated as wingbacks and captain Neil Tovey, Lucas Radebe and Jacob Tshisevhe watched the middle. The absence of suspended Mark Fish opened the door for Tshisevhe from Kaizer Chiefs, who never settled and was replaced midway through the second period by Helman Mkhalele.
At times the central defenders appeared to be getting in the way of each other, but it was a new system for the African champions and Barker will be tempted to persevere with the formation, if not the personnel. This time, Radebe is expected to replace Nyathi on the left with Tovey sweeping behind Fish and Lane, whose defensive partnership played such a crucial role when Pirates lifted the African Champions Cup two years ago.
The midfield trio in Zambia – Innocent Buthelezi, Eric Tinkler, John “Shoes” Moshoeu – are likely to be retained although Tinkler and Moshoeu must be aware that they performed well below expectations in Lusaka. Tinkler has hardly played for Italian club Cagliari and long spells on the sideline are obviously hampering his international career, while Turkish-based “Shoes” did not display his customary appetite and often floated on the fringes of the action.
Buthelezi, whose long-standing dream of playing abroad seems likely to be fulfilled with Birmingham City or Bolton Wanderers in England, lacks match practice after an injury sidelined him for several weeks. Assuming Barker uses two forwards, Jerry Sikhosana is assured of his place again with Brendon Augustine or leading Castle Premiership scorer George Koumantarakis vying for the other spot.
Augustine would normally appear the obvious choice as he is quick, skilful and has considerable more international experience than the Manning Rangers forward, but there is the small matter of the Municipal Stadium in Pointe-Noire to consider.
When the equatorial sun shines, the ground is harder than the N1 highway. When the rains come, it quickly develops into a swamp. South African surfaces are green paradises by comparison. Given the unfriendly terrain, Bafana Bafana may plump for Route One football with the ball being booted deep into opposition territory where there could be plenty of physical scraps for possession.
With Lane capable of landing throw-ins deep inside the box, the head of 1,91m Koumantarakis could be an attractive target. Perhaps Augustine will start with “Big George” kept in reserve. While South Africa were expected to be strong challengers to top seeds Zambia and former qualifiers Zare, the rise of the Congolese Red Devils has taken everyone by surprise.
Although Ivory Coast have slipped considerably from their lofty position in the mid-1990s, no one expected them to lose 2-0 in Brazzaville and draw 1-1 in Abidjan during the preliminary round. An even bigger surprise awaited Zambia in Pointe- Noire where a late goal settled the match and Congo built on this result by crossing the Congo River to Kinshasa and forcing a 1-1 draw with Zare. Unlike their three rivals, Congo have no household names with Ivory Coast-based goalkeeper Brice Samba probably the best known. Samba lines up with Africa Sports National and defender Florent Baloki with Abidjan rivals ASEC.
Forward Macchembe Youngha-Mouhani scored twice for German Bundesliga club Fortuna Dusseldorf last month while Olivier Niere struck vital goals against the Ivorians and the Zambians.
Zambia complained of poor treatment in Central Africa with the hotel food so bad that the visitors were forced to visit restaurants and security at the dilapidated Pointe-Noire stadium was non-existent. These are the weapons which will also be used against Bafana Bafana, a team used to standards far removed from those found on the west coast of central Africa.
South Africa have played there before, winning a qualifier for the previous World Cup 1-0 in January 1993, and team manager Glyn Binkin flew to the Congo last week to check on facilities.
The bottom line is that Barker and his players must adapt to the local conditions, knowing that if they avoid defeat they will remain on course for a ticket to France while victory would put them firmly in the Group 3 driving seat.