Bafana battle to keep 2010 legacy alive

Odds against Igesund’s charges today

BAFANA Bafana face a year of potential limbo if their World Cup hopes come crashing down today in Durban, but more distressingly, it would put a seal on three years of mediocrity since the excitement of hosting the 2010 World Cup.

An event meant to elevate South African football to new levels of competence and achievement, on the back of impressive infrastructure and top-quality organisation, is now increasingly leaving no more legacy other than a trust fund for administrators to squabble over.

Failure to progress in the Brazil 2014 qualification would confirm negative progress since the hosting of the last World Cup and leave the country waiting a year for competitive action again, when the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers start in September 2014.

It will also come as an image blow at a time where the cashstrapped South African Football Association is trying to persuade major corporates to invest in soccer structures. South Africa’s fate tomorrow is outside their own hands – they have to rely on Ethiopia failing to win the other Group A match against the Central African Republic, which is being played at a neutral venue in Brazzaville.

At the same time, Bafana Bafana must win what a decade ago would have been a routine assignment but is now by no means a sure thing.

The lack of public interest – reflected in poor ticket sales – and anticipation ahead of the clash against Botswana today suggests supporters have already resigned themselves to the inevitability of elimination.

South Africa were already out of the race after losing in Addis Ababa in June but were given a reprieve when Ethiopia were found to have foolishly used a suspended player in one of their qualifiers and docked three points.

Instead of a five-point lead with one match to play, they now have a two point advantage over Bafana. Coach Gordon Igesund’s future is likely safe, irrespective of the result and even with a regime change in the offing at the helm of the SA Football Association.

But he has not been convincing – failure in January’s Nations Cup at home coming courtesy of a sucker punch from the opposition after Bafana’s tactical approach failed to produce the requisite goals. After today’s match, the 2015 Nations Cup is likely South Africa’s next target.