Andrew Muchineripi SOCCER
One question central to any discussion on the future of national soccer coach Trott Moloto is whether third place at the African Cup of Nations represents success or failure.
This humble member of the Muchineripi clan has never been known for fence- sitting and I have no intention of changing good habits practised for 55 years in various parts of our beloved continent.
I consider third place a positive achievement, while acknowledging that first place is always the preferred choice. Cameroon are the champions of Africa, and deservedly so, but where did they come from? In 1990, they failed to progress beyond the first round as defending champions, losing to Zambia and Senegal before belatedly recovering to overcome minnows Kenya.
In 1992, they defeated Morocco and drew with the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire) when groups consisted of only three nations, defeated hosts Senegal in the quarter-finals, lost to Cte d’Ivoire in the semi-finals and to Nigeria in the finals.
In 1994, the famous Indomitable Lions did not even make it to the finals as they were pipped by Gabon. Yes, the same country that Bafana Bafana slammed seven goals past in two meetings.
No one can forget what happened to Cameroon in 1996 as hosts South Africa launched their campaign with a 3-0 triumph at FNB Stadium courtesy of goals from Philemon Masinga, Mark Williams and John “Shoes” Moshoeu.
The Lions snarled back to defeat Egypt, then shared six goals with Angola and suffered the humiliation of another first-round exit. There was little improvement two years later.
Cameroon beat hosts Burkina Faso, surrendered a two-goal lead to draw with Guinea and defeated Algeria to top their group, only to fall timidly to Zaire in the quarter-finals.
Finally, it all came right in Ghana and Nigeria, and Rigobert Song and his fearless warriors won the rocket-shaped trophy a third time and earned the right to keep it in Yaounde.
This brief history of Cameroon serves to illustrate one thing beyond reasonable doubt – football success is not something guaranteed to any national team in Africa, not even economic powerhouses South Africa and Nigeria.
No country has successfully defended the Nations Cup since Ghana defeated hosts Tunisia 35 years ago when the competition bore no resemblance to what it is today. There was no qualifying competition and only six finalists.
Let me salute every South African footballer involved in the past three Nations Cup tournaments. To finish first, second and third is a magnificent achievement, no matter what some might say.
Unfortunately, South African Football Association (Safa) president Molefi Oliphant disagrees, He, understandably, expected a replica of four years ago when we finished top of the African pile. It was a realistic expectation. But Cameroon, Cte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and Zambia also had realistic expectations of conquering the continent, especially Ghana and Nigeria as co-hosts.
However, it was the Indomitable Lions, a team that consistently failed in the 1990s, who emerged triumphant. I will bet five of the plumpest beasts on my smallholding that Cameroon do not retain the title in Mali two years hence.
Not that any of the aforementioned will bring much relief to Moloto, who seems destined for the axe because Oliphant, understandably but wrongly, considers anything less than top spot to be unacceptable.
I believe in continuity, I believe in the sons our our soil – especially previously disadvantaged ones – being given every opportunity to prove their worth at the highest level.
I never have been, and I never will be, a propaganda agent for Trott Moloto. He has his faults, like all of us, notably a reluctance to discuss issues on a regular basis with leading Premier Soccer League coaches. Unnamed Safa officials labelled Moloto “arrogant” and “stupid” after the semi-final loss to Nigeria and, for what it is worth, I found him humble and intelligent in the one, admittedly brief, meeting between us.
Anyway, sometime soon, the Safa gods will pass judgment and I confidently predict that bra Trott will be seeking employment elsewhere. Should this come to pass, I do hope his replacement comes from within. Paul Dolezar of Sundowns, Ted Dumitru of Orlando Pirates, Gordon Igesund of Manning Rangers and Ephraim “Jomo” Sono of Jomo Cosmos are names that spring immediately to mind.
I am not interested in Ruud “Sexy Football” Gullit or his ilk. They come, they collect dollars by the bucketful, and they leave with little sustainable progress. Still, Safa know best. They always do.
A good example of their wisdom was the comment by technical committee head Veli Mahlangu that Bafana Bafana should not have used the “outdated” 3-5-2 system against Nigeria. Guess what system Cameroon used to defeat Nigeria and win the cup?