SA’s rudderless football flops
RIO DE JANEIRO: As the unheralded rowing team celebrated a stunning silver medal in the men’s coxless pairs, South Africa’s rudderless men’s football team were scratching for answers as to how they couldn’t get past Iraq last night, and qualify for the last eight at the Olympic Games.
Owen da Gama’s men finished stone last in their group, and once again a campaign that promised much delivered precious little.
Between the women’s and men’s teams, South African football combined for just one goal in six matches.
One goal, two points and countless questions as to why South African football continues to underwhelm, even when they are overflowing with resources, support and, most gallingly, riches that have been acquired through mediocrity.
In a football draw that was barren of many of the big names, this was seen as South Africa’s chance to finally show some sort of progress, and at least make it to the last eight.
Those hopes were raised when Da Gama’s team managed to steal a draw against Brazil, with 10 men, in the opening game of their campaign.
Surely they could manage the required points against Denmark and Iraq?
A further lifeline through a draw between Iraq and Brazil meant the group was still wide open last night.
The number of times that the post was rattled by Iraq, as it had against Brazil, suggested that Lady Luck was with finally with South Africa.
But luck is not the only prerequisite for success on these stages that come once every four years at best, and once in a lifetime usually.
Football in South Africa would do well to drop the arrogance and tap into expertise which allows sporting codes with a fraction of their lavish budget to consistently punch above their weight on the international stage.
Rowers ravaged bank balances and maxed out credit cards over the last four years to be here.
Back in South Africa, there are two hockey squads who would have at least played with pride, and represented South Africa justly.
They were told there was no money in the kitty, yet the sports minister is in Rio, living it up and showing face with an entourage whose expenses could have swelled Team South Africa’s numbers.
That bit is not South African football’s fault, but Vision 2022 will never be realised while representative teams lack the pride to hurt when they fail on this stage.
For many of the athletes in Team South Africa’s village, including the women’s team, this trip to Rio meant the world. Some of South Africa’s footballers saw fit to play in a sponsored jamboree instead of flying in as one side.
That’s how seriously they took it. Vision 2022 will come and pass, and we will still be talking, as other nations zoom past us, and improve through systems and nothing but hard work.