Ntuthuko Maphumulo
Bafana Bafana coach Jomo Sono must have been glad that he did not attend his team’s match against Ecuador in Spain on Wednesday as it did not yield magnificent football. To put it mildly, it was boring.
Sono took the opportunity to have a look at South Africa’s World Cup opponents, Paraguay, in action against England instead.
In Spain, the Bafana wannabes for Korea/Japan found themselves out-played for much of the game, with goalkeeper Andre Arendse coming to the rescue of the squad.
If there were any World Cup midfielders or strikers on display for Bafana they kept a very low profile. It appears even stand-in coach Trott Moloto could not bear to watch as he got himself red-carded after exchanging words with the referee.
The good thing was that Bafana Bafana managed to get a 0-0 draw after losing to Saudi Arabia (0-1), Georgia (1-4) and winning one against continental minnows Botswana in a penalty shoot-out during a Council of Southern African Football Associations match.
As this was the last match before the squad is chosen for the World Cup, the Bafana technical team must have all the notes they require to assemble the necessary players. It can’t make pretty reading.
Sono should now have an idea of which players he will need to pull off better results in the final five friendlies before the big show, and then show the world what great talent South Africa possesses.
Sono does have other things on his mind, though. His team, Jomo Cosmos, play Kaizer Chiefs this weekend as they bid to make a late charge for the premier soccer league title. Chiefs will be no pushovers as they are fighting for a Top 8 berth.
Once the league is over Sono can turn his full attention back to the national team.
He will have much to ponder as fellow World Cup group B members Spain thrashed Northern Ireland 5-0 on Wednesday, while Slovenia beat Tunisia 1-0. Paraguay’s 0-4 drubbing at the hands of England was perhaps the best news Sono got this week.