Bafana Bafana have kicked off their campaign to qualify for the 2018 World Cup with all the usual thrills and spills, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Saturday’s dramatic Group D opener against Burkina Faso provided enough evidence to suggest that the national team are in for a bumpy ride in their bid to book a place in Russia with 31 of the world’s best sides.
The preparation could once again be labelled as ‘organised chaos’ – trusted Shakes Mashaba regular Tokelo Rantie failed to arrive in camp and now faces Safa’s disciplinary team. There was the usual visa and late arrival drama and then came the swarm of locusts and bees which affected two days of training. Now it has emerged that Itumeleng Khune was badly affected by a stomach bug which was not settled until a matter of minutes before kick-off. Hardly the ideal way to head into one of the more important fixtures the side has played this year.
All those issues were put aside when the Moroccan official blew his whistle and set South Africa’s conquest. And what an influence the referee had on proceedings. His mistake to award the home side a penalty for Eric Mathoho’s handball (outside of the box) was laughable. There were a number of 50-50 incidents which all went the home side’s way and credit must be given to how Bafana kept their composure amidst the chaos.
Credit too must be given to Mashaba and his selection of Eleazar Rodgers. The Wits’ forward was superb in his job alone up front as he held up the ball, provided sharp service to those on the wings and generally got about his business with intent and hunger. The pros, Khune’s remarkable performance in goals, Dean Furman’s industrious performance in midfield, the fact that South Africa began their campaign with a point and not an away defeat, far outweigh the cons, the lapse in concentration that cost us the goal, Oupa Manyisa’s lack of match awareness to concede the second penalty and the already describe pre-match circus.
And while questions remain regarding Mashaba’s capabilities at the highest level, his selection policy and to an extent, the game plan he employs, it appears the national side are in with a fighting chance of causing a few upsets and going the distance in the qualifiers.
Tomorrow’s friendly against Ghana will provide a litmus test of just how competitive this side can be on the continent especially without the Mamelodi Sundowns contingent who have been released from international duty with the Caf Champions League final looming large for the Brazilians.
The thrills and spills of Saturday with the good and the bad and everything in between, must have fans of the national side thinking … Here we go again …
Photo: AFP/Ahmed Ouoba/Gallo Images
