New Bafana Bafana head coach Jomo Sono desperately needs a win even in his absence
Thebe Mabanga
In 1993 Augusto Palacios was in charge for a World Cup qualifier against Nigeria. That game in Johannesburg came after a 4-0 drubbing by the Nigerians at Surulere stadium the previous September.
To prepare for the Super Eagles, Palacios took his squad to play in a midweek game against Botswana. The result was a 2-0 victory with goals from debutants John “Shoes” Moshoeu and Rudolph Seale. Bafana went on to hold Nigeria to a credible goalless draw. Botswana was an important springboard.
This weekend Bafana Bafana take on the Zebras from Gaborone in the Council of Southern African Football Associations (Cosafa) Castle Cup, this time en route to a much bigger occasion the World Cup proper and Bafana would do well to use this occasion to make Botswana feel the heat of a side destined for the greatest show on Earth.
After a 0-1 loss to Saudi Arabia in Italy last week and Wednesday’s 1-4 drubbing by Georgia, Bafana Bafana and their fans are in desperate need of a good performance.
The unfortunate feature of Saturday’s encounter is that it will demonstrate the shortcoming of the decision to keep Trott Moloto as an assistant coach. For in the absence of Jomo Sono (away with the squad that played Georgia), it will be Moloto on the bench a situation that was supposedly avoided by hiring Sono’s predecessor, Carlos Queiroz.
In essence, what Sono is looking to achieve between now and the start of the World Cup is to pick up the pieces from the African Nations Cup and rebuild using players whose form has suddenly flourished or who have been inexplicably overlooked.
The spine of his side should be made up of players like goalkeeper and captain against Georgia Hans Vonk, his injured deputy Andre Arendse, midfielder Sibusiso Zuma and speedy striker Siyabonga Nomvete. Sono has to then plug huge gaps in the rest of the team and decide on his final formation.
At right back Mbulelo “Old John” Mabizela executed duties in Mali with limited success. As modern football demands, he overlaps to aid attack but sadly lacks the positional discipline and focus to recover in time or sufficiently. At Orlando Pirates against St Lousienne recently, he displayed his value by scoring a brace. Sono must be taking comfort in the fact that Cyril Nzama ofllll Kaizer lll Chiefs is lll regaining something nearing early-season form.
On the left side of thelll defence, thelll worst that can happen is to have Jacob Lekgetho break down with injury a few days before the big one, as he did ahead of the African Cup of Nations. Bradley Carnell replaced him then, and a major shortcoming in the latter’s game seems to be that since a leg injury, he has grown overtly cautious in committing to tackles and going forward. As a result he frequently loses the ball in dangerous territory.
Another player staking his claim is Sundowns’ Lovers Mohlala, who has an edge by being the only genuine left wing-back in the Premier Soccer League. At his best he balances cunning defensive instinct with attacking proficiency. Against Botswana, Mohlala and Nzama get their chance.
Central defence remains plagued by injury problems. If Aaron Mokoena retains his place and Mark Fish does not recover in time, Pierre Issa clubless but training with Chelsea or the sluggish llllllMatthew Booth should grab the other berth.
The midfield quartet or quintet remains unsettled. The combination of craft and industry required is far from being achieved. Thabo Mngomeni has not raised his game, but experience and lack of options has seen him retain the slot. Protecting the back four alongside him should be Bennedict Vilakazi, a player for the World Cup and beyond.
Vilakazi’s strength is his tireless running and ball-winning abilities. More importantly, though, when he has successfully worked his way to an attacking position, he is a nifty improviser who is unfazed by the sight of goal. McBeth Sibaya may also feel his time has come.
Zuma remains llllllBafana lllBafana’s talisman. In Mali he got tied down by defensive duties covering for Mabizela. With adequate cover behind him, he may yet run the show in midfield.
Kaizer Chiefs’ Jabu Pule will be keen to demonstrate he is a suitable partner. The best way to use Pule is in the hole behind the strikers, but that may mean a five-man midfield, with Nomvete dropping to midfield, as he does at club level and did successfully against Morocco in Mali.
The limitation in this is that none of Bafana’s front men is able to play the role of a lone striker. Shaun Bartlett looks set to be made to eat his declaration that he would not play if Queiroz was fired. But he possesses nothing more than an imposing frame, a knack for scoring simple goals and an average football brain. He certainly does not deserve the captaincy.
Benni McCarthy’s injury at Porto has derailed a very promising recovery in form, leaving Nom-vete in pole position as a second striker.