Excitement, but then it fell flat
The build-up and controversy leading into the Mamelodi Sundowns-Orlando Pirates match on Saturday was good for the game. Fierce rivalry is good for our game, but it can be lacking. Sometimes when you throw handbags before, during and after a match, it is a good thing.
I don’t want to talk too much about the situation with Bongani Zungu, Rhulani Mokwena and Pitso Mosimane, but it fuelled the fire for the match. Coming to the game itself, it wasn’t what we expected. The first five minutes were electric, but then the match failed to live up to expectations.
Another factor, however, that is great for South African football, was the attendance. It is great to see Sundowns not far off the top of the table, to see Pirates up there and Chiefs, even though they are not playing their best, are still in the mix.
Daniel Bennett should have seen what was happening in the Sundowns-Pirates game earlier and stamped his authority. He could have given an early yellow, and he should have realised what the atmosphere would be like.
Both teams were more focused on kicking each other, tempers were flying instead of them trying to outwit the other.
Tactically, I think the Sundowns plan was to isolate Xola Mlambo and starve him of possession because he is Pirates’ creative man in midfield. This was done very aggressively. On the other side, I think similarly, Pirates tried to suffocate Sundowns’ creativity, which came from Hlompho Kekana.
On both sides the fullbacks were very cautious going forward. Sundowns had Lyle Lakay and Tebogo Langerman, who are both defensive players, if Langerman goes forward Lakay can shore it up at the back. On the other side, Thapelo Morena also chose his runs, Pirates were also careful going upfield. Both teams were aware of the dangers and the other’s creative players so they cancelled each other out. That is why we got a very cagey game.
The fan running onto the field to confront Rhulani was a situation that should never be allowed. Security issues have been there, especially this season, and in a game of that magnitude they should have been on high alert. A guy managing to get through there is unacceptable.
Moving to Bafana Bafana and Saturday’s game against Nigeria, I played against them for Bafana at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and we were handed a 4-0 drubbing with Peter Odemwingie and Jay-Jay Okocha teaching us a big lesson.
We got our revengee in the first round of 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying (Bafana won 2-0 in Nigeria), but since then we have been stuttering. We should have got all the points against the Seychelles but only took four. Nigeria scare me. Ninety percent of their players play overseas for top teams. The loss of Dean Furman, Kamohelo Mokotjo, Bongani Zungu, Keagan Dolly and Sibusiso Vilakazi is a massive blow for Bafana. I know guys like Hlompho Kekana are quality, but there is a massive gap from the level in Europe to South Africa.
In defence we are solid because of the unerstanding between Buhle Mkhwanazi, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Sifiso Hlanti from Wits. I just do not have the confidence in us going forward. However, I want us to win, and I know we can, but of course it will take a massive effort.