Every day and night I battle with my emotions about whether Bafana Bafana should qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany next year.
First things first. I am a staunch supporter of Bafana Bafana. I have been patriotic to the national team since its reintroduction to world football in 1992. I have cried tears of joy and happiness.
But I don’t want to cry any more. I believe the team has lost all of its old traits. Hurtful as the thought may be of Bafana not going to Germany next year, it is better than qualifying and going out in the first round yet again. After all, France failed to qualify in 1994 but in 1998 hosted the tournament and won it.
I was in Germany last month when Bafana lost to Ghana 2-0. I could not believe it — these guys were adamant that they would avenge their 3-0 drubbing by the Black Stars in their first leg.
Bafana Bafana find themselves depending on other results to qualify for the World Cup. Yes, they have been in this situation before and got out of it — but it is high time Bafana Bafana and South African soccer realise that we have no divine right to qualify.
Then it hit me. Do Bafana Bafana deserve to be in Germany? Not going to next year’s World Cup will force us to get our soccer house in order. The bungling South African Football Association (Safa) supremos will finally have enough egg in their faces to have to take the public seriously when we cry foul about our national team. The much-publicised ”2010 vision” and youth development will finally become the focal point.
Over the past few years Bafana have won a few matches and lost a few, but the players have not worn that jersey with much pride. I now wonder whether it is worth paying to watch players who are only interested in money.
I don’t appear to be alone: the team is losing supporters in droves in certain parts of the country.
Fans have voted with their bums by not going to the stadiums to watch.
Bafana Bafana has suffered a slow death in football. The great heights of 1996, when we won the African Cup of Nations with manager Clive Barker, are no more and now the national soccer team is almost dead and buried under Stuart Baxter.
Six coaches have been employed since the sacking of Barker and all have failed for various reasons, such as players being unavailable and Safa interfering in the selection of players.
This week we have sent a team to the United States to participate in the Concacaf Gold Cup. The side will play against Mexico, Guatemala and Jamaica without most of the regular first-team players and with almost no preparation.
Safa is once again coming out with lots of excuses, but when will this situation end? The pain we supporters feel has become unbearable. I can no longer wear my Bafana replica jersey with pride.
Baxter will need a miracle in the final two World Cup qualifiers and the players all need to show that they deserve my support.
Let’s pray that those players selected for the Gold Cup win, or lose, with some dignity. Even if they suffer some heavy defeats, though, it will not be their fault. The blame lies with the bunglers at Safa.