The world looks beautiful for Bafana Bafana as national coach Stuart Baxter’s side look down from the top of World Cup and African Cup of Nations qualifying group B.
On Saturday, the second round of qualifying games kicks off against Uganda at the FNB Stadium, and South Africa will be looking to reach their third consecutive World Cup and sixth Nations Cup next year.
A lot has changed since Baxter was appointed on April 1 last year. At the time, the Englishman’s appointment was met with disapproval in certain soccer circles. A year on, he has been able to shut the mouths of those that doubted his credentials and knowledge of the game. Baxter has brought back passion to the national team by blending young players with experienced players.
The national coach has also had a good string of results with Bafana Bafana, achieving a first victory over Nigeria, a creditable 1-1 draw with Australia in a friendly, qualification for the semifinals of the Confederation of Southern African football Association (Cosafa) Cup, and three wins and two losses that have put them at the summit of group B.
Baxter’s methods have not been radical: he has merely brought some vision and consistency to team selection.
Results so far have made him the darling of South African soccer, but his confirmation as one of the best coaches the country has seen so far will come only if he qualifies the team for both of next year’s major tournaments — the World Cup in Germany and the Nations Cup in Egypt.
If he can continue this steady progress, both objectives are achievable as the remaining matches are — on paper at least — easier than those of the first round.
Bafana Bafana are playing three home games and two away. The team have been majestic at home — winning against Cape Verde and Burkina Faso — but awful away. After Uganda, South Africa take on Ghana —who were 3-0 winners in the first round — and DR Congo-Kinshasa, who beat Bafana Bafana 1-0 away.
Baxter, now halfway through his two-year term, has not only concentrated on the mandate given him by the South African Football Association to qualify for next year’s events, but has also begun developing players for the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
His two assistants, Steve Komphela and Styles Phumo, have been elevated to coach the national Under-23 and Under-20 teams, respectively, in the past few months. They will synchronise the eventual progression of players from the junior ranks to the senior national team.
Baxter has played a pivotal role in the development and introduction of young players into the national team that has seen the likes of Benedict Vilakazi, Thabiso Rammile, Thando Mngomeni, Sandile Ndlovu, Gift Leremi, Elrio van Heerden and Katlego Mphela given a chance to shine on the big stage. These youngsters are gaining valuable experience in playing international matches and should form the backbone of the squad when the World Cup is held in South Africa in 2010.
The Englishman has established a pool of players he can choose from for this year’s intensive schedule. The national team will be involved in the Cosafa Cup semifinals in August, the Gold Cup in North America in July and the LG Four-Nations Cup (date yet to be confirmed) besides four World and Nations Cup qualifiers — including Saturday — before the end of October.