From triumph to woe at the Nations Cup
South Africa, winners once before on home soil, will be looking to repeat that feat in 2013
SOUTH AFRICA will make a much welcomed return to the African Cup of Nations next weekend after failing to qualify for the past two tournaments.
The team made it to this year’s edition as the host nation and it will mark their eighth appearance at the biennial continental showpiece.
Bafana Bafana have had a mixed history at the tournament and since their historic triumph on home soil in 1996 have put together a rather unique record of results.
The team was crowned African champions in their first appearance at the tournament as a nation after the advent of democracy, it was also the last time they hosted the tournament, beating Tunisia 2-0 in the final, to prompt massive celebrations.
Two years later a Benni McCarthyinspired team surged to the final of the tournament, only to be beaten by Egypt. In 2000 they finished third and in 2002 they were knocked out in the quarter-final round.
Bizarrely, the team then continued their downward slope for the next three tournaments by not making it out of the group stages in the 2004, 2006 and 2008 editions.
And just when the Rainbow Nation thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse, the country hit a new all-time low in 2010 when they failed to qualify for AFCON and they repeated that dismal feat in 2012.
This year presents a chance for redemption and South Africans will be following the team’s fortunes or misfortunes closely.
It will not be easy for Bafana as they are drawn in the same group as the ever-dangerous Morocco and Angola as well as AFCON debutants Cape Verde Islands.
However, coach Gordon Igesund – the 13th coach since 1996 – is confident the team can emulate the class of 1996. “With any competition we go in, we aim to win it,” he declared boldly.
Igesund will have a squad boasting stars like captain Bongani Khumalo, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Itumelung Khune. These players all have experience of playing in the World Cup and the Confederations Cup and will provide valuable experience to some the team’s younger stars such Thulani Serero and Thuso Phala.
“This is not my national team. I am just the driver so I would like to thank the public, including the media for their continued support of the squad that has been picked up as they represent all of us,” Igesund said.
“We are now embarking on a long and difficult mission and we cannot do it alone, your support will be very crucial to see us through.”
Igesund’s record in his seven matches in charge has seen the team beat Kenya, Mozambique and Malawi. They have, however, suffered loses at the hands of Brazil, Zambia, Poland and most recently Norway.
Igesund however remains upbeat and he believes that he is the right man to guide South Africa to the glory they have only experienced once before.
“Now that the final squad has been selected, the focus is on the tournament,” he said. “I am now able to instil my philosophy and I am confident by the time the tournament starts, we will be ready and playing as a unit.”