It’s just not cricket
SOUTH AFRICA (1) 1 NIGERIA (1) 1 IF A TICKET to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations was not at stake, maybe this would have been a credible draw against a side Bafana Bafana have only ever beaten once in 11 official matches since readmission.
But this result, forced into a stalemate when striker Lebo Mothiba cancelled out defender Buhle Mkhwanazi’s own goal, means South Africa must play their final Group E game away to Libya desperate for the full haul of points. Far from ideal. Nigeria qualified for the Afcon thanks to this draw and their last fixture at home against lowly Seychelles will be a party.
Bafana must now travel to Libya’s neutral venue (likely to be Tunisia) in March next year to try and seal qualification.
That’s SA in a nutshell. It always seems their preferred route to do things is the hard way. Even here in front of a crowd that was mostly dominated by Nigerian supporters based in Johannesburg, Bafana had to come from behind to get a precious point.
Mkhwanazi had unfortunately put the ball in his own net following a poor attempt to clear Samuel Kalu’s cross, but instead confused goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune to give the Super Eagles the lead after just 10 minutes.
Credit to coach Stuart Baxter’s men for not putting their heads down, instead taking their opponents on in search of the equaliser.
When it finally came, it was a moment of brilliance from Percy Tau, who took out three defenders to create an opening in the box and set up Mothiba for an easy tap in. That confirmed Mothiba’s prowess in front of goal: his fourth goal in five matches in a Bafana shirt.
It was a performance they could be proud of even though the result wasn’t favourable. If Bafana had beaten Seychelles in Victoria last month instead of playing to a shock goalless draw, a point against Nigeria would have been enough.
Libya themselves went to minnows Seychelles yesterday and smashed them 8-1.
Why couldn’t Bafana do the same? They will wait now to try and finish the job four months from now against Libya who they failed to beat in Durban two months ago. Libya will fancy their chances with just one spot remaining for a ticket to the Afcon in Cameroon. Bafana NEVER take the easy route. IT wouldn’t be Durban if the first thought ahead of the maiden Mzansi Super League wasn’t about the weather.
Durban thrives on worrying about the elements, because wretched weather is a grim reality in these parts. Especially in the cricketing months.
Over the past three weeks, Durban has been bathed in glorious sunshine, until yesterday.
Suddenly, savagely, the clouds have turned a sinister colour, daring anyone to try and have fun on their watch. It truly is uncanny.
For the non-durban members of the Heat, this phenomenon of anticricket weather may have seemed to be a bit of a KZN legend before, but they will now live it for a month.
Given all their preparation and integration this past week, the Heat would hate to sit for three hours watching time pass by today.
There is an unusual 11am start time, which should actually assist efforts to bypass the worst of the weather, and get this show on the road.
If they do get on, their opponents will be Cape Town Blitz, who started their Mzansi adventure with a character-ful triumph over the Tshwane Spartans.
The point of this competition, aside from making money, is to provide a bigger stage for young South African cricketers to express themselves.
Kyle Verreynne, Anrich Nortje and Ferisco Adams did just that on Friday night under Newlands lights, as they properly introduced themselves to those who only watch domestic cricket sporadically.
Verreynne had so much fun behind and in front of the stumps that the absence of Quinton De Kock didn’t even come up.
Nortje looked quick with a red ball in hand earlier in the season, but he looked even more menacing, armed with a white ball and a speed gun.
Adams, meanwhile, recovered from an early assault on his figures, to claim the huge scalps of AB de Villiers and Rilee Rossouw. They have dubbed him the ‘Ice-man’ down Cape way, and he lived up to that billing.
Friday night warned the Heat about what to expect from this new breed of players, but they also know that there is experience in the ranks. Dale Steyn ought to be back, just in case there wasn’t enough star power.
So, by all accounts, the Heat will have their hands full today.
What they will be desperate for, naturally, is for a game of cricket.
They have played all the golf they want, and had all the team dinners they can handle. It’s time to do what they are actually here to do.
Play at Kingsmead starts at 11am, with coverage on SABC3.