Paraguay look the side to bet on
Bafana Bafana and Paraguay clash in a friendly in Durban tonight and the visitors are technically superior but much will depend on whether SA fields a full-strength team
Tonight’s friendly between Bafana Bafana and Paraguay will offer further evidence of just how well the country’s top players measure up against opponents who play at clubs in some of the world’s top leagues.
The cocoon of the Premier Soccer League creates an isolated picture of the ability of South African players, who are often hyped up above their capabilities.
This much was evident when the national team took on Nigeria at the weekend. It was an evenly balanced game, but the individual battles brought home just how much the locals get stuck in a comfort zone in the PSL and that they are nowhere near as brilliant as all the hype that surrounds them.
This is not their own fault, but it’s good for the public and the players that the breaks for international football provide the occasional reminder that the level of skills in the PSL is significantly inferior to the major leagues of the world.
That should be the case again in Durban tonight. While Paraguay are an inconsistent force in South American football and failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, they have players on the books of clubs in the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A and La Liga in Spain.
Again it will be a good test for a Bafana Bafana side whose numbers look good but who in reality are floundering somewhat. South Africa have conceded just one goal in their last five internationals and not lost in their last nine games, but have still not secured qualification to the African Nations Cup finals.
While their focus for the next few months will be on continental affairs, Paraguay will offer good preparation in what is the last chance for coach Stuart Baxter to run an eye over players, and work on tactics and systems, ahead of the March qualifier against Libya.
If the Bafana line-up is somewhat experimental then Paraguay will be worth a punt for a win in TAB soccer pools.
But Baxter, who remains under some pressure, might be tempted to go with a fullstrength side in order to achieve a morale-boosting win. That is something both he and the team need.