Headlines as intimidating as ”A return to hell” and ”Mind-games torment for Bafana” have preceded South Africa’s African Nations Cup qualifying game against Congo in the one-time scenic, but now mainly archaic, former French colonial jewel of Pointe Noire on Sunday.
The media, of course, are permitted some licence in such matters. And, remember the old maxim about offering a crocodile a finger and he will assuredly grab an arm?
And so with the media crocodile going to town and suggesting a visit to hell might be child’s play compared to the gory journey that confronts the 19 Bafana players, it is not difficult to comprehend why experienced coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has proclaimed the game that could assure his team a place in next year’s finals in Ghana as ”the most testing since I arrived in South Africa”.
And certainly there have been some gory moments for Bafana teams in the past in Pointe Noire, remembering, for example, the crunching blow that caused blood to gush from a shaken Mark Fish’s head as though he had been carved up by a Mike Tyson right hook.
But there is also an element of exaggeration to the blood-curdling stories. The first time Bafana played in Pointe Noire, 15 years ago, they stole an audaciously lucky 1-0 victory via a Harold Legodi goal five minutes before the final whistle after being pinned on desperate defence for most of the proceedings. And, in these highly provocative circumstances for the frustrated crowd, nothing untoward happened.
Indeed an anxious Bafana squad was applauded on leaving what was an apology for a dressing room — before enjoying what was one of the parties of their lives at their hotel afterwards.
So much for the devil and his disciples that lurks in Pointe Noire. But it is going to be a tough ordeal for Bafana, that is for sure — one that could well develop into a battle of nerves.
Bafana, however, have an edge in experience and skill and Parreira has already inserted a measure of composure into their play.
And if South Africa’s temperament holds good, the team certainly has the means, with players of the calibre of Aaron Mokoena, Nasief Morris and Sibusiso Zuma, to hold out for what would be considered a satisfactory draw in the circumstances. — Sapa