Maybe it’s time for Pitso to have #Thatawkwardmoment with Benni

ON Twitter, people like to tweet about #Thatawkwardmoment.

And it literally means awkward moments in their lives. If a lot of it is true or not remains to be seen, because quite a few people on the social network platform seem to have an adventurous imagination.

Most of it, though, is absolutely hilarious, like #Thatawkwardmoment when you watch a movie with your parents and a sex scene comes up, or #Thatawkwardmoment when your gum randomly falls out of your mouth.

In Durban, before the start of Bafana Bafana’s international friendly against Senegal on Wednesday, South African coach Pitso Mosimane had #Thatawkwardmoment when he seemed to be jeered by supporters at the Moses Mabhida Stadium when his name was announced.

It was a typical South African football fan’s reaction. Well, Mzansi football fans, and even some fans in the media, are just a little too fickle.

The prime example of this is the fact that Orlando Pirates coach Julio Leal’s job is on the line, even though his team have won two trophies already this season and they are third on the Premiership log!

I also remember former Ajax Cape Town, Foppe de Haan being jeered by the club’s faithful at halftime of a league match and then chanting his name at the final whistle.

Or #Thatawkwardmoment when the crowd did that stupid substitution sign, trying to get Katlego Mphela replaced, and he scored a brilliant free kick.

We are a bit of a fair- weather bunch, us supporters, and Wednesday night’s jeering of the national coach left a bitter taste in the mouth. But you can’t really say he didn’t warrant a few choice words from the public.

Mosimane is under massive pressure at the moment as Bafana can’t seem to get the ball into the back of the net and can’t get a win. Credit to the coach for trying to change his tactics and play a more attacking game with an attacking line-up, and young and skilful midfielders bringing the energy. But the finishing is still as foul as last week’s curry that for some reason is still in the fridge.

The attacking formation is maybe the way to go for the coach to try and qualify South Africa for the World Cup in two years’ time in Brazil. Give these young exciting stars a go and, wait for it, put Benni Mccarthy upfront to lead the line.

Benni looks a lot fitter now (did you see that goal last week!!!) and he might just be the difference between qualifying and having to watch the football – and the girls in bikinis on Rio’s beaches – on television. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that ...

Mosimane says Benni is not in his plans, but maybe it’s time for the coach to have #Thatawkwardmoment and ask Benni to return to the national team for the World Cup qualifiers, otherwise it’s going to be awkward not to join in the jeers next time.

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

@jerome_k_damon (top South African referee after passing his fitness test over the weekend): An amazing feeling: after tearing a hammie 5months ago, running and passing 12 laps in fitness test today: contented!

@Aaronlennonpsl (Tottenham winger after teammate Scott Parker was named captain of England for Wednesday night’s international friendly against the Netherlands): #buzzing for Scotty P being named captain for tonight’s game fully deserved. #ENGLAND

WHO TO FOLLOW

@Anfieldcat: This cat came to prominence during a Premiership match at Anfield. Now it is a hit on Twitter too.