AFRICAN GLORY, THAT IS
THE slump in Bafana Bafana’s game is indicative of a perceived downward spiral in the standard of African football as a whole.
A close look at the countries that once dominated the continent and sent a cold chill down the spines of opponents reveals the sad picture of a faded shadow of former greatness.
The Nigerian Super Eagles have definitely lost the sparkle that made them super and superior to lesser teams.
And it has become quite hard to use such fear inducing adjectives as “indomitable ” when describing the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
While the Black Stars of Ghana were left to salvage the few remnants of African pride left during the first and much vaunted Fifa World Cup on African soil in 2010, the team is struggling to inspire confidence en route to Brazil 2014.
Instead, we are now treated to a surprise package, in which Africa’s minnows are forcing what seems to be a power shift in African football.
Traditional giants such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt and the 1996 winners Bafana are among the few power houses that are suddenly playing second fiddle to their less recognised opponents.
Given this trend, it is not far fetched to contend that Bafana are not alone in their misery.
In 1996 Bafana caused a stir throughout the African continent when they snatched the prestigious Africa Nation’s Cup (ANC) trophy, beating Tunisia in the final at FNB Stadium. But it must be noted that this was a team that boasted talent such as Phil Masinga, Lucas Radebe, Doctor Khumalo, Sizwe Motaung, Helman Mkhalele and other quality players.
The current team is the butt of every joke in the country, with fans calling them all kinds of comical names – to the extent that one would think they are the worst team on the African continent.
Out there in West Africa, should you find yourself struggling to remember the exploits of the Nigerian national team, do not beat yourself up – they have lost their shine. The Super Eagles do not, even remotely, resemble the team that gave world soccer such talent as Jay Jay Okocha, Sunday Oliseh, Steven Keshi, Rashid Yekini and Nwanko Kanu.
In Accra, remember the Black Stars of Ghana at the top of their game? This seems to be such a long time ago that names such as Abedi Pele and Anthony Yeboah sound like ghosts from the past.
Yet they represent the best but faded era of Ghanaian football.
Was the golden era of Cameroon the time when Patrick Mboma freely scored goals and Rigobert Song marshalled the defence?
The players who don the Cameroonian jersey these days seem to be unable to rise to the heights achieved by their predecessors. If you ask, you will note that the emergence of another Samuel E’to is but wishful thinking in the make-up of the current Cameroon squad.
We speak of Egypt in the past tense these days. The once feared Pharaohs are now like the mummies with which their ancient pyramids are associated.