We’re tired of whipping boys tag – Bafana
We need to change that, says Mashamaite, unfazed by artificial pitch in Congo
BAFANA Bafana are tired of being known as the continent’s whipping boys, defender Tefu Mashamaite said ahead of the team’s departure today for Saturday’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville in Pointe Noire.
Called up Mashamaite was thrust to the forefront this week as the likely replacement for the injured Anele Ngcongca in central defence, after a place in the squad seemed unlikely.
He has picked up on a mindset under coach Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba of setting the record straight, with the first objective to qualify for January’s Afcon in Morocco.
“I never thought I would play for Bafana again,” the Kaizer Chiefs defender said yesterday.
“But things happen in life. The coach said with my club performance, he couldn’t really ignore me.
“The spirit of positivity always rubs off in a good way, especially as the coach was a change in mindset.
We don’t want to be known as Bafana Bafana, the whipping boys of the African continent.
“We need to change that, and this is a good place to start,” Mashamaite said.
Bafana’s matches against the Republic of Congo on Saturday and then Wednesday in Polokwane, are crucial to their fate in Group A.
With Congo’s opening wins against Nigeria and Sudan, Africa’s Red Devils are on top of the group with six points.
South Africa are second on four points, but are aware that Nigeria (one point) could likely make up as much as six points in their two matches against Sudan.
“We saw what Congo did against Nigeria, and this is going to be a real test,” Mashamaite said. “They have big, physical players.
“But I saw them lose concentration, allowing Nigeria back into the game. The coaches have done re- search on that and we’ll look to capitalise on those things.”
South Africa meet Congo on an artificial surface at Pointe Noire 4.30pm SA time. Mashaba has had experiences with his junior teams in west Africa where, on synthetic surfaces, players use most of their water to cool their boots down.
Bafana have been training at Royal Marang Hotel in Rustenburg, which has an artificial surface.
“I think it will be almost the same conditions we’ll find in Congo,” Mashamaite said.
“The bounce is tricky on an artificial surface. The heat seems to be on the ground, and your feet get hot very quickly.
“I’ve heard of players putting water in their boots, but they got blisters. You just have to endure. For me, it is still better than a pitch with potholes and cabbage patches.”
The Chiefs defender looks set to earn a fifth cap playing alongside club centre back partner Mulomowandau Mathoho.
“Tower [Mathoho] and I have formed a good partnership at Chiefs, but I still have to work hard to get into the starting 11,” Mashamaite said.
Meanwhile, Mashaba’s decision to rotate the captaincy of the Bafana Bafana squad for the two 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers against Congo serves up the possibility that the side may celebrate a 40th skipper since readmission to international football in 1992.
Senzo Meyiwa wore the armband for the matches against Sudan and Nigeria last month, but Mashaba has hinted he will look elsewhere for the Congo double-header.
“We will rotate the captaincy, the reason being that we are trying to make complete players. We are trying to look at players who can do it,” Mashaba said this week.
Stars in contention to become skipper No 40, having never before worn the armband, are one of the midfield duo of Andile Jali and Dean Furman, the latter having had captaincy experience when he led English side Oldham Athletic at age 23.
Kaizer Chiefs centre back Tefu Mashamaite, who is almost certain to start alongside club teammate Mulomowandau Mathoho, is another contender, as is BidVest Wits captain Sibusiso Vilakazi.
Neil Tovey was the first Bafana skipper for their comeback game against Cameroon in 1992.