Andrew Muchineripi World Cup
Humility has never been a strong point of Philippe Troussier and so it proved again this week in the beautiful French city of Bordeaux as Bafana Bafana bowed out of the World Cup. Perhaps capitulated would be a better word.
France proved generous hosts by defeating Denmark in the final round of Group C matches, but a South African team needing a handsome victory over Saudi Arabia had to settle for a draw and finished third.
At the post-match media conference, the White Witchdoctor could not resist one final verbal assault as he accused his group (players to us mere mortals) of lacking the commitment to win.
Maybe they did lack a commitment to win, although the Muchineripi household is unanimous in its condemnation of this view because we believe no Bafana Bafana deliberately sets out to lose. Maybe the group were confused when taking instructions from a man who had publicly humiliated them (again) on the eve of the most important match in the history of South African soccer.
Troussier told the world media that with a few exceptions (including a Lucas Radebe who is too politically correct for my liking) he was in charge of tourists more interested in shopping.
That the Frenchman refused to take any responsibility for an ultimately disappointing Group C campaign came as no surprise to those who have followed his movements and actions closely.
Within hours of arriving in South Africa last March, he declared war on the local media and local players and, ironically, discovered among sections of the media the fighting spirit he sought from his players.
After a tortuous process of elimination, he produced a 22-strong World Cup squad containing a mix of Clive Barker and Jomo Sono products and, in fairness, a few of his own. Where South Africa does owe Troussier a debt of gratitude was his promotion of players like Hans Vonk, Pierre Issa, Quinton Fortune, Delron Buckley and Alfred Phiri.
Issa (please do not let his misfortunes cloud some extremely professional performances), Fortune, Buckley, Phiri and Benni McCarthy represent the future and should form the spine of the 2002 World Cup team.
Troussier travelled extensively in search of talent, unlike Barker, who was often too quick to dismiss positive media reports about South Africans playing abroad. The lesson to be learnt is surely that every South African footballer, no matter where he is playing, must be checked. We do not possess that much talent that any potential star can be overlooked.
Tactically, Troussier introduced little new as his 3-5-2 system had already been used by Barker and Sono and his attempt to introduce zonal marking had a short life.
One can argue the merits of zonal versus man-to-man marking for many hours, but the bottom line is the players clearly disliked it, as Mark Fish said on state television.
Ultimately, Troussier supporters will claim he was a prophet not recognised in his adopted land. A coach ahead of his time who was not appreciated by lazy, uninterested players lacking the will to win.
Critics will point to a ?drew four and lost two record? and curse the South African Football Association for ever hiring him. Some players will never forgive him for the physical and verbal abuse they suffered at his hands.
The Muchineripi verdict? Philippe Troussier was a good coach and bad man manager. A man with good ideas who could not sell them. A man who believed in the team and got his undies in a knot each time he saw McCarthy on TV.
Perhaps the biggest losers will be the media. With Troussier around there was never any chance of a dull moment. His exit leaves a vacuum no successor can hope to fill.