Bafana Bafana has managed to regress in the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) — from winners in 1996 to a first-round exit this year. The tournament left the South African team battered, beleaguered and bruised. They returned home on Friday to lick their wounds. Â
The boardroom bickering that preceded the tournament finally took its toll on the players in Tunisia, despite numerous protestations to the contrary. The damage to morale has already been done and the effects have been there for all to see: apart from the first-round exit, some players have also retired from the national team.
While the overall performance of the team left a lot to be desired, a few players offered hope. Captain Mbulelo Mabizela left the tournament with his reputation intact, as did Aaron Mokoena, who suffered a harsh penalty against Nigeria, and Siyabonga Nom-vete, whose performance was admirable for a player who is not a regular at his club. Delron Buckley failed to come out of his shell, while Sibusiso Zuma did nothing to enhance his reputation and the midfield failed to ignite.
Soccer administrators should take the blame for Bafana’s disastrous performance. With Irvin Khoza’s resignation this week the door is open for fresh ideas in the South African Football Association (Safa) offices.
Safa president Molefi Oliphant should speak out about the debacle during the run-up to Afcon and start plotting the way forward. The association should also begin to open communication lines with the players, especially those based overseas.
It is time for the next generation of Bafana Bafana players to be nurtured and they are most likely to come from the under-23 team. These players will hopefully move to the national team soon so that they can participate in the qualifiers for Afcon 2006 and the World Cup.Â
They include Nassief Morris, Joseph Makhanya, Gift Leremi, Thando Mngomeni, Mabhuti Khan-yeza, Bevan Fransman and more.
Attack-minded midfielders who can score goals and strikers need to be groomed as this is a department that is lacking in South African soccer. There is still hope that Bafana will reach the heights of their 1996 triumph and improve on their two World Cup appearances as there is an abundance of talent in the country that simply needs to be developed.
In the coaching department Gordon Igesund should take over or be an assistant to the next national coach, as he is best qualified. Igesund has a proven track record, winning three Premiership titles with three clubs.
Meanwhile, coaches such as Pitso Mosimane, Khabo Zondo, Neil Tovey, Steve Komphela and Roger de Sa should continue be groomed to be part of the technical team for 2006.