More of the same, brave Bafana Ba Broos

What now for Bafana Bafana — as the final curtain will drop on the most memorable Africa Cup of Nations tonight? Five things need to be fine-tuned to build from the brilliant base built in the excellent execution of Mission Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2023, where they really cut the mustard.

First, consistency.

This group of players can hold their heads high for they have boundlessly restored the once unshakable belief football followers once had in Bafana.

The focus now must turn to harnessing the energy for the road to Mexico, Canada and the US, the countries that will host the 2026 Fifa World Cup. The bulk of the current squad will be around until then. It’s a matter of two years. But what happens when they go in two years?

Those guys at Safa House, who delight in stuffing their pockets with honorarium payments, must do all in their power to ensure the junior national teams become a conveyer belt that churns out players who can pick up the baton. That will happen if those teams follow Bafana’s example of not going to competitions to add up the numbers but to compete competently. That must be the preoccupation of the silkysuited souls.

Second, scouting.

There are scores of players of South African origin plying their trade overseas. We have all seen how Siphephelo Sithole has steadied the Bafana ship. The net must be cast wider.

If they are good enough, they can be drafted, on condition that their hearts really beat for Mzansi. Bafana no longer have room for South African-born players based abroad who turn their noses on call-ups, seeing South Africa as a second or third option.

Also, South African football is screaming for structure. Academies mushroom all over the country, each one pulling in a different direction. There is no method in the madness of this chaotic situation.

Third, broadening the base.

My bastardised version of late rapper AKA’s song featuring KDDO, titled Company, goes: “One save not enough for him. Two saves not enough for him. Three saves not enough for him, not enough for him, not enough for him. Four saves from the spotkick. That’s what’s enough for Ronwen, aka Ron-Win Williams the Conqueror.”

What happens if he gets injured for a lengthy spell? We will lose the safest pair of hands around, a reliable last line of the rearguard and minus the assuring presence of a skipper who leads by example.

Things went pear-shaped 13 years ago when the then undisputed number one gloveman got injured during the 2010 World Cup. We are thin in other areas too, with an over-reliance of starting XI preferences.

Don’t get me wrong. Selecting a largely unchanged line-up is a necessity. But ours was out of necessity also because our bench is limited to the point of being blunt in terms of game-changing options.

We were hamstrung when pacey and tricky Thapelo Maseko pulled his hamstring. That made us look like a one-trick pony team. More of our clubs must raise the bar and perform at optimum.

Fourth, finishing.

How many times have you watched Bafana Ba Broos create countless chances and convert only a few? Missing from our team is a ruthless streak and clinical finishing, which causes us to lose games we could have won. Wastefulness in front of goal is our major weakness. Lebo Mothiba, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and, yes, Lyle Foster, should be able to cure this sickness.

Finally, down with “clubism”, down!

There is no denying that Hugo Broos and his entire technical team have helped reignite our romance with Bafana. We look forward to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with renewed gusto.

As the euphoria of the last four weeks dies down, let us remember that Bafana reminded us we are pregnant with promise. “What they did with their performance, I think you have to be proud as a coach,” Broos said.

“The way we played this Afcon, I think that everyone knows South Africa now as a good playing team.”

Let us desist from seeing the national team through club-tinted eyes.