South Africa face a formidable task in their African Cup of Nations clash in Monrovia
Ntuthuko Maphumulo
Bafana Bafana travel to Monrovia this weekend with the words of the legendary Lone Star, George Weah, ringing in their ears. “We will get you in Liberia,” the former world, European and African footballer of the year warned South Africa after a 2-1 African Cup of Nations victory for the home side in Johannesburg in December.
Fewer than 10 000 supporters watched that match on Reconciliation Day last year but the stadium in Monrovia is reported to be sold out for the return clash. Assistant coach Frank Nagbe insisted Liberia would avenge their defeat and the Lone Stars on home ground are formidable opposition. They lead their World Cup qualifying group ahead of African heavyweights Nigeria.
Bafana coach Carlos Queiroz was happy with December’s result, although his players did little to give supporters their money’s worth. It was his first full competitive match in charge (his first as coach was a friendly against France) and the only previous meeting between the two sides.
All Queiroz would say at the time was that they had a lot to work on and that the country should enjoy the three points earned. Hopefully, with six months and several more matches under his belt, the coach will have ensured the squad is fit and eager to play well and win on Sunday. A loss would not be too terrible, however, as Bafana have already qualified for the finals in Mali next year.
Bafana Bafana team manager Zola Dunywa left for Monrovia on Wednesday to prepare for the arrival of the South African national team. Dunywa will inspect the team’s accommodation, training facilities and the stadium where they will be playing. He will be trying to ensure everything goes smoothly for the team. Bafana Bafana have come up against several problems on previous outings to African countries. Sometimes the host country’s planning has not been up to scratch; hotels and food have been bad and changing facilities at the stadiums leaves a lot to be desired.
On paper Queiroz was the best coach the country could afford, and after 10 matches he has managed a record of one loss (a friendly against Italy), two draws (France and Mauritius) and seven wins. Despite this impressive record he has not yet convinced the fans to go to the stadium to watch Bafana Bafana play or have their support.
Queiroz’s problems in winning over the fans are compounded by the fact that he cannot always pick the team he wants for certain matches. He has been unable to call up local and foreign-based stars for some games.
As a result he has decided to choose two squads one made up mainly of Premier Soccer League players to contest African Cup of Nations qualifiers and the finals in Mali next year, the other comprising mainly overseas-based players to attempt to qualify for the World Cup in Japan and Korea next year.
When Queiroz takes Bafana Bafana to Mali next year he will be the fourth South African coach in as many tournaments to be in charge of the team. Clive Barker coached the team in their first African showpiece in 1996, when South Africa hosted and won the event. Jomo Sono was the stop-gap coach between the dismissal of Barker and the arrival of Philippe Troussier, and the Cosmos owner got the team to the final in 1998.
South Africa lost to Egypt in the final but unearthed a great youngster in Benedict McCarthy, who was the top goal scorer (nine) with Hossam Hassan.
The third coach was Trott Moloto, whose charges lost to Nigeria in the semifinals last year. Hopefully Queiroz can reverse this trend and bring the cup back to South Africa.
After Sunday’s game, Bafana Bafana’s last remaining qualifying group fixture is a home tie against Congo on June 17.
n Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvete is leaving the Premier Soccer League to ply his skills in the tough Italian league. The Kaizer Chiefs striker was sold to Udinese for R15-million.
Nomvete follows in the footsteps of Phil Masinga, who plays for recently relegated Bari.
Nomvete has played for African Wanderers, the under-23 Olympic team and Bafana Bafana. Last season he was named players’ player of the year.
He is the second player from Kaizer Chiefs to leave the club for Europe recently, after Mohammed Ouseb signed to play with Lyn FC of Switzerland three months ago.