Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Do it for Senzo, says buoyant Shakes
You are a bunch of winners, Mbalula tells Bafana as they embark on quest to emulate the Class of ’96
THERE was a certain “air of confidence” about the Bafana Bafana team as they prepared to board their flight to Gabon on Wednesday.
The body language of the players and manager suggested they were off to do battle – and, indeed, they were.
In nine days, Bafana will go head- to- head with Algeria as they kick off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Equatorial Guinea.
Though the national team received an unfavourable draw, thrown in the “group of death” with African giants Ghana, Senegal and Algeria, the players and manager Shakes Mashaba showed no fear as they were questioned by the media about the African soccer spectacle.
Mashaba, especially, was oozing confidence. Without the slightest of smirks, he told the media he would guide Bafana to win the Afcon final.
“The people must be there to welcome us home on February 10. The tournament finishes on the eighth, but we will be back on the 10th. We are confident about that,” Mashaba said.
“We packed our bags for six weeks. We will compete. We are not going there to add numbers.”
Even though Bafana Bafana had been handed a tough group, coupled with the fact that they have been very poor in their recent Africa Cup of Nations campaigns and haven’t qualified for the tournament since 2008, Mashaba was in buoyant mood.
“In 1996 we set the standard that we are championship material. With this team we are trying to revive that spirit and show we are one of the best,” he said.
“I have told the players not to fear anybody because we have no reason to feel inferior. The boys are ready. The players know why they are here and they know what it means to wear the Bafana jersey.”
Mashaba has every right to be confident. He has taken Bafana on an unbeaten run since taking over, and heads to the tournament as manager of one of four teams unbeaten in Afcon qualifying games.
His confidence also flows over into the dressing room, where Bafana players have the belief they can go all the way.
Striker Bernard Parker said the team were starting to believe more and more in themselves.
“The coach has told us we are champion material, and we have come to believe him.”
Midfielder Dean Furman, who is likely to captain Bafana, is also optimistic.
“We are going to Equatorial Guinea to fight. We will make our nation proud and we will make our families proud.
“We are looking forward to the tournament. We’ve got great belief within our ranks. We’ve got some top players and we are very excited to go and showcase that at the tournament.
“We will make the country proud and we hope to come back as winners.”
Mashaba said the team would have the added motivation of wanting to win the tournament for the late Bafana captain and goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.
“Senzo would have loved to have lifted the trophy, so the team have added motivation to win it in his memory.”
Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula also fancies Bafana’s chances and called them a “bunch of winners”.
This is a far cry from last year when the minister described the team as a “bunch of losers”, following their early exit from the African Nations Championship.
Mbalula said the team had already earned the fans’ support by qualifying. “The players have come of age. This is a special moment for South Africa. We’re going to Afcon as competitors.
“You have restored the pride and glory of the nation. If you win Afcon, it will be a glorious moment. Go there and make South Africa proud.
“Our flag and national anthem will be restored among those nations… The important thing is that we go to Equatorial Guinea and compete, and not just make up the numbers.”
SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan was also in buoyant mood. Since taking over the reins at Safa, Jordaan has seen the senior national team and the juniors succeed at all levels. “This team has dismissed the idea that you can’t play to win when playing away from home.
“So when you go there to play, continue to show no fear. The team has made it this far and there is no reason it can’t go further.”
The Safa boss said he had “all the confidence in the world” that the team would represent South Africa well. “We have all the faith in the team that they will make us proud. The belief and pride we once had in the team have been restored.”
Jordaan said the team were not burdened with any unrealistic expectations.”What is expected is for the team to go out there and show courage.”
Bafana are in Gabon for a pretournament camp and scheduled to play a warm-up match against Cameroon this afternoon in Libreville, before Afcon kicks off on January 17.
‘When you go there
Brilliant Khuzwayo, Darren Keet and Jackson Mabokgwane
Siyabonga Nhlapo, Patrick Phungwayo, Anele Ngcongca, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee and Thabo Matlaba
Themba Zwane, Andile Jali, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Bongani Zungu, Thamsanqa Sangweni, Dean Furman, Thuso Phala, Mandla Masango and Oupa Manyisa
Bernard Parker, Tokelo Rantie, Bongani Ndulula and Sibusiso Vilakazi
South Africa v Algeria, Estadio de Mongomo, 9pm
Senegal v South Africa, Estadio de Mongomo, 9pm
– Ghana v South Africa, Estadio de Mongomo, 8pm