The return of World Cup-winning coach Carlos Parreira and striker Benni McCarthy to the Bafana Bafana camp comes under the spotlight on Saturday with a tough assignment against Japan.
In Parreira and McCarthy rests the last hope to transform the World Cup hosts from the ”Santana error” to a new era capable of going further than the first round next year.
A string of poor results under the disastrous reign of Joel Santana has left not only the spectators but also the players doubting the pedigree of the team. After all, even the hardiest of spirits would be demoralised after losing eight of the past nine matches.
Parreira and McCarthy return to the national team after missing the Confederations Cup early this year — though for different reasons. The Brazilian passed over the baton to his countryman, Santana, when his wife fell ill; while the Blackburn striker was omitted after he snubbed call-ups for the friendly matches against Norway and Portugal in March.
But, as things spiralled out of control under Santana, desperation gripped the Safa leadership and they were forced to swallow their pride.
McCarthy has welcomed the olive branch and this week told the media that he had repented: ”I was young, I was dumb and I was a bit of a loose cannon,” he was quoted saying.
He pledged, at the same press briefing, to end Bafana Bafana’s goalscoring problems if he is picked to play. ”I still have a lot of goals in me and that is what I bring to the table.”
With Parreira having pledged to turn Bafana into warriors, fans will be eager to see if the two can change the team’s fortunes. And two matches in four days should give the new arrivals an indication of how much hard work lies ahead.
Japan are 40th in the Fifa rankings and have already qualified for the World Cup finals. The Blue Samurai, as they are affectionately known to their fans, have qualified for the last four World Cup finals and have won the Asian Cup three times. They beat rising African giants Ghana 4-3 in an international friendly two months ago.
After Japan, Bafana have a less intimidating tie against Jamaica on Tuesday in Bloemfontein. Ranked at number 69, the Reggae Boys are perhaps in the same class as Bafana, who have plunged to 84. Jamaica failed to qualify for next year’s finals and are best remembered for their appearance in the 1998 World Cup finals in France. Moreover, some of their better players, based in the United States, have not been released by their clubs.
Still, the better Fifa rankings of both these immediate opponents will not cut the new coach any slack with his detractors. Parreira has to hit the ground running if he is to win over a population growing restless about foreign coaches whose results have failed to justify their obscene salaries.
The Brazilian coach will hope that McCarthy repays his faith in him by getting the goals that eluded Bafana under Santana. He is, after all, the best goal scorer in the country, with 31 goals from 79 matches.
If for nothing else, Santana should receive credit for taking a tough stance on McCarthy — it has resulted in a more grounded player who will now pull on the Bafana Bafana jersey.
Sadly, though, the banishment of the English-based striker during the Confederations Cup has not put an end to indiscipline in the Bafana Bafana camp. Only this week Mamelodi Sundowns hitman Mabhuti Khenyeza showed scant regard for his new coach when he joined camp late. It boggles the mind that Sundowns chief scout, Trott Moloto, saw fit to accompany Khenyeza as he arrived late — perhaps a demonstration of the sheer magnitude of indiscipline in South African football.
To his credit, Parreira sent the correct message by refusing to include the truant player in his plans.
Clearly, changing the coach and including the country’s finest football export will not be enough to ensure a successful new era. Professional conduct among players is of paramount importance.
Parreira has vowed to stem the casual approach to the World Cup in his squad. But whether there will be an improvement in the team’s performance remains to be seen.