SA awaits Bafana glory

It’s been over a year since Bafana Bafana played their first 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria.

As they play their second against Libya tomorrow in Durban, a lot has happened in the intervening months since that commendable effort in Uyo, Nigeria, where they scored an historic first away win over the Super Eagles.

Bafana went on to play five World Cup qualifiers between August and November 2017, and what followed was a horror of horrors.

Our national team won only one of the five – at home to Burkina Faso – and the rest ended in defeats to plunge SA to the bottom of a group that included Cape Verde and Senegal.

Tomorrow’s Afcon qualifier at Moses Mabhida Stadium will be like a new start for Stuart Baxter’s team. They have to show that they are capable of qualifying for major tournaments, after they flattered to deceive last year.

We are aware that Baxter’s camp has been disrupted by injuries to key players this week – chief among them Bongani Zungu – but we remain confident in the side to deliver a much-needed victory over Libya.

The team is laced with talent – from Kamohelo Mokotjo to Percy Tau and Bradley Grobler – and we have to back them to deliver.

It’s important to beat the north Africans as they are top of Group E, having thrashed the Seychelles in their first match.

After a troubled week during which we sunk into recession, SA can do with a little bit of celebration. Make us smile, Bafana!