A victory against Zambia on Sunday will go a long way towards sending Bafana Bafana to t he World Cup in France, but nothing is certain in the unpredictable Group Three
SOCCER : Andrew Muchineripi
THE moment of truth for World Cup hopefuls South Africa and Zambia arrives on Sunday when they clash at FNB Stadium in a match likely to determine which country visits France next year.
While victory and three points is the obvious goal of Bafana Bafana, even a draw will suffice provided they complete their programme on August 16 with a home win over surprise packets Congo.
Zambia, so close to reaching the finals four years ago, must win to have a realistic chance and it can only boost their confidence to know that they have never lost a competitive match against South Africa. Going into the fifth qualifying round, Congo and South Africa share top spot on seven points with the Red Devils in the driving seat because they have scored more goals. Zambia lie third with five and the Democratic Republic of Congo fourth with two.
Last January, Zambia were held goalless at the Independence Stadium in Lusaka by a South African team which enjoyed two moments of good fortune in a disciplined if somewhat uninspiring performance.
It was typical of clashes between the powerhouses of Southern Africa, a physical showdown between countries who regularly cancel each other out simply because there is so little to choose between them. A prominent South African coach, speaking on condition of anonymity this week, said he feared the day might not be too far off when South Africa were at the wrong end of a hiding.
What a pity England chose to omit six of their recognised first-team at Old Trafford as it would have been interesting to see how Bafana Bafana coped against the SAS (Alan Shearer and Teddy Sheringham.)
While football is too strange a game to predict anything with much confidence, it would come as a major surprise if more than one goal separated the teams when dusk descends over Soccer City.
After the midweek Nelson Mandela Inauguration Challenge against Holland, coach Clive Barker is likely to rely largely on those players who have ensured glory for him and the country.
This means the No 1 jersey returns to Andre Arendse; the defence revolves around captain Lucas Radebe, Sizwe Motaung, Neil Tovey and Mark Fish; Eric Tinkler, Doctor Khumalo and “Shoes” Moshoeu man midfield and Philemon Masinga leads the attack.
That leaves vacancies in midfield and attack with John Moeti and Linda Buthelezi vying for the former and Mark Williams, Brendan Augustine and Jerry Sikhosana the latter. Form, fitness and the “gut” feel of Barker will determine the lucky twosome.
Zambia have not been altered radically by new coach George Mungwa with young Davis Phiri still guarding the goals, Modon Malitoli, Elijah Litana and Harrison Chongo in defence, Andrew Tembo and Johnson Bwalya in midfield and Dennis the Menace (alias Lota) up front. No big match in Africa would be complete without its share of rumours and those emanating from Lusaka suggest former African Footballer of the Year Kalusha Bwalya may come out of self- imposed retirement.
Mungwa says Kalusha has answered the call of the nation in its hour of need, but even if the Mexican-based midfielder lines up at FNB Stadium, there is no need for South Africa to suffer a collective heart attack. Bwalya was kept under control for large spells of the Lusaka encounter and while still a potential matchwinner, he appears to have lost some of the sparkle that saw him crowned king of African football 10 years ago.
Bafana Bafana hardly need to be reminded, though, just how deadly he can be from set pieces, an area where South Africa remain sadly lacking in thought and execution when these precious opportunities arise.
While war is raging in Johannesburg, the battle of the Congos will unfold at the notorious Municipal Stadium in Pointe-Noire with the visitors needing a victory to keep alive their wafer-thin hopes of qualifying. Apart from taming the Devils, the former Zaireans could suffer from an identity crisis with a new blue and gold strip replacing the green, red and gold, a new national anthem, a new nickname and a new coach from Brazil.
Congo, exposed during the closing stages of a three-goal loss in Zambia, know a victory will take them to FNB Stadium still in contention for a place at the showpiece of international football. More than any other African section, Group 3 has proved to be unpredictable, and who can safely predict what may develop this weekend. What is certain is that unlike the other four qualifying groups, no team can book its tickets to Paris on Monday.