Two teams stand in Bafana Bafana’s way in their bid to earn a berth in the last 16 in the World Cup. Those are Slovenia and Spain — and the latter poses the bigger problem as they beat the East Europeans 3-1 in their first game and look set to win the group.
Bafana Bafana take on Slovenia on Saturday in a do-or-die game for both sides. By the time they take the field they will know exactly what they have to do as they will have the score in the game between Spain and Paraguay.
This knowledge could either give them a psychological boost or put them under tremendous pressure to perform well. Bafana managed to get a point from their 2-2 draw with Paraguay last week, while Slovenia are yet to secure a point.
Bafana Bafana’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit against Paraguay showed the boys have character, but coach Jomo Sono will have to rethink his striking combination of Sibusiso Zuma and Benedict McCarthy. Slovenia have tall, well-disciplined defenders. Zuma’s potential as a winger could be utilised well against Slovenia, while the target men should be George Koumantarakis and McCarthy.
The Slovenian camp is an unhappy one at the momemt as stylish midfielder Zlatko Zahovic has been sent home after a row with coach Srecko Katanec. Zahovic was unhappy at being substituted against Spain. There were shades of Irish midfielder Roy Keane when Zahovic told Katanec:”I can buy you, I can buy your house, and your family. You were a dickhead player and you’re the same as a coach.”
Spain, Bafana’s opponents on Wednesday, have many talented players in their squad. South Africa will have to deprive the Spanish strike force of Diego Tristan and Raul of quality ball and tightly mark the dangerous midfield supplier of scoring opportunity balls, Luis Enrique.