Shakes rattles and rolls

WHEN the draw for the African Nations Cup put Bafana Bafana in the same group as Nigeria — the reigning champions — Congo and Sudan, few thought South Africa would come out of it alive. Six games later, Shakes Mashaba has steered the side to qualification in sensational fashion. His men finished at the top of their group, unbeaten and after conceding only two goals.

Qualification for the biennial tournament, to be hosted in Equatorial Guinea between January and February next year, was made even sweeter by the fact that it was achieved at the expense of the old foe whose superiority over Bafana had become second nature. With Mashaba in charge, Nigeria’s days of dominance over Bafana were ended. With a new, younger team exuding energy and dedication, Mashaba has ensured that Nigeria, who were crowned African champions on South African soil last year, will watch the tournament on television. There are lessons here for the South African Football Association, the architect of Bafana’s decade-long slide into mediocrity.

The mandarins at Safa fired Mashaba, who had qualified the country for the 2004 edition, because he would not let them meddle in his selection. They then hired coaches of international repute and paid them insane salaries, only for Bafana to stumble from bad to worse.

Thankfully, Safa appears to be a better organisation now than the circus it was under former president Kirsten Nematandani. Planning, organisation and structure are providing a solid foundation for success. The reversal of fortune and the fresh air Mashaba has breathed into Bafana are commendable. Long may it continue. May the spirit seen in Bafana rub off on Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates and Bidvest Wits in their quest to conquer the continent at club level next year.

It is time for South Africa to shake, rattle and roll the rest of Africa.