Eight years after clinching an emotional African Nations Cup crown, South Africa, shattered by player revolts and by a catastrophic build-up, are likely to be knocked out of the 2004 tournament Tunisia on Wednesday by Morocco.
Bafana Bafana need to beat the Atlas Lions by four clear goals to make the next stage, a tall order since their opponents have yet to concede a goal in two matches.
A defeat will also be even more galling for South Africa as Morocco are their only serious rivals to stage the 2010 World Cup finals.
In their four previous appearances, the South Africans have never failed to get beyond the first round of the tournament — they were winners in 1996, runners-up in 1998, ended up in third-place in 2000 and made the quarter-finals in 2002.
But they went into the event having changed their coach at the last moment and without key players Mark Fish, Shaun Bartlett, Quinton Fortune and Benni McCarthy.
That lack of experience has been exposed. After just edging debutants Benin 2-0, they were beaten 4-0 by Nigeria.
”We were not happy with our showing against Nigeria,” said defender Aaron Mokoena. But we can’t live in the past. These things happen and we have a chance to put things right against Morocco.
”They have improved a lot and will be very difficult to beat. We will be playing our hearts out though, we have a point to prove.”
”I’m sure everyone realises the importance of the match as far as the World Cup bid is concerned and we want to do well to help the bid.”
Morocco, with six points from two games, only need a point to qualify for the quarter-finals while Nigeria, who like South Africa have three points, are likely to cruise to victory over Benin.
Such is the crisis in the South African camp, that the players were given a serious dressing-down by the country’s football association and were warned that the performance against the Moroccans must show significant improvement.
The Star newspaper reported that the deputy head of the delegation here Mubarak Mohammed read the riot act to his under-performing players.
”The Morocco match holds huge significance. A victory against them would be a victory for the 2010 bid,” said Mohamed.
”We expect the players to give 180% in the match. The players do have an obligation to themselves, the team and the nation to go out and get the desired result against Morocco.”
But Morocco have pledged to win the group and avoid a likely quarter-final date with defending champions Cameroon.
”Our match against South Africa will be negotiated with the same motivation and application that we have shown in our first two games,” promised coach Badou Zaki.
”Morocco came to these finals determined to fight to the end and show how deep our character is for such a young side.”
Skipper Noureddine Naybet believes that this Morocco team can go all the way and win a Nations Cup title for only the second time to follow the 1976 triumph.
”The match with South Africa is important. It can make us group winners and confirm at the same time the rebirth of Moroccan football.” – Sapa-AFP