The names of the Bafana Bafana men or boys chosen to represent the country in Tunisia next year were finally announced by national coach Ephraim ”Shakes” Mashaba on Thursday.
There was silence tinged with whispering as the names were called out. There is now no turning back for Mashaba and for those players who will have to bring back the Nations Cup. Now begins the teambuilding exercises that will determine whether the Cup is coming to South Africa.
Already the country has been through a dampening year, losing in the Cricket World Cup and just lately in the Rugby World Cup. The soccer team will need to try to restore the nation’s pride next year in Tunisia — the first major tournament of the year in which South Africa will participate.
Mashaba’s team may raise a few eyebrows and tempers among the soccer-loving supporters, including those armchair critics, but caution should be taken. Firstly the coach has done all in his power to assemble the best team for Tunisia. He has spoken to the individual players he has called up, those he wished to call up and those that refused.
As the coach put it when announcing his team: ”I tried everything to convince those players that refused to be part of the team that I did everything any man could do in my shoes.”
Fortune has not been on Mashaba’s side. The first blow he was dealt after trying to negotiate with a player about his participation in the tournament was Benni McCarthy. The star player had earlier wanted to fly in and out during the tournament, but as the national soccer body was toying with this idea, the player pre-empted its decision and retired from the Bafana Bafana squad, leaving a big gap in the strike force.
Then there was the recalling of Hans Vonk, the nation’s goalkeeper who refused the call-up, reasoning that he had not been part of the team that qualified for this tournament and therefore it would not be fair to players who had done the job.
But the most interesting absentee from the squad is Quinton Fortune, who had earlier on, with his club coach Alex Ferguson, said he would be available — but seemingly an about-turn happened. Mashaba was willing to include Fortune, but his club was unwilling to give out Fortune’s new telephone number of the player, and that is how he did not make it to the team.
Orlando Pirates fans were dealt a heavy blow as none of the players announced are from their team, unless one includes past players: Mark Fish, who now plays for Charlton Athletic, could pass as a Pirates player. After a long absence from the team he makes a comeback.
The rest of the players in the national team were predictably called up as they continue to give sterling performances for both their clubs and country.
The team:
Goalkeepers: Andre Arendse, Wayne Roberts, Emile Baron.
Defenders: Mbulelo Mabizela, Thabang Molefe, David Kannemeyer, Jacob Lekgetho, Aaron Mokoena, Tony Coyle, Mark Fish.
Midfielders: Benson Mhlongo, Stanton Fredericks, Mcbeth Sibaya, Jabu Pule, Steven Pienaar, John Moshoeu, Bernard Mnguni, Delron Buckley.
Strikers: Patrick Mayo, Siyabonga Nomvete, George Koumantarakis, Sibusiso Zuma.