2017 promises to be another year to remember but fans have not changed their wishlist much from last year, writes WADE PRETORIUS.
Now that the revelry of the festive season has died down, or at least is on its last legs, and the vast majority of fans are back at work. The focus turns to those hours during a game when the hassle of Monday to Friday is forgotten and one pours their heart and soul into their team’s performance.
2016 had it all … Leicester, Iceland, Portugal, Mamelodi Sundowns, Shakes Mashaba and Thandani ‘Bibo’ Ntshumayelo. Some wonderful moments, some unsavoury ones and some that pushed us to the brink of insanity.
Let’s leave 2016 in the past and look forward to 2017 and what I hope it may bring.
1. Stability for Bafana
Number one on the list for a reason … World Cup 2018. Safa really need to get their act together and appoint a coach capable of putting the country first and despite the great odds against the team, steer them to a place among world’s best that will gather in Russia 2018. Let’s put the side shows of picking foreign-based players aside, blending the correct mix of youth, form and experience into a squad capable of upsetting Senegal and making the country proud once again. While we’re at it, let’s choose a permanent captain too.
2. A 20-goal PSL striker
Okay, here’s another one that might be as much of a stretch because this hasn’t been done since veteran Siyabonga Nomvethe did it back in the 2011-12 campaign. Last season, burly Zambian Collins Mbesuma won the gong with 14 goals. Orlando Pirates striker Tendai Ndoro is already on 11 goals and looks in a good position to end the criticism which is so freely dished out at forwards in the Premiership.
3. Soweto revival
The country needs the ‘giants’ of local football to be the giants of local football. Chiefs sit in fifth place, a point off Wits’ tally but having played two extra matches while Pirates are in 10th place. They have plenty of work to do in the Afcon 2017-enforced break after axing Muhsin Ertugral before the break with Augusto Palacios coming in albeit temporarily. Can Chiefs mount a serious title charge under Steve Komphela or will they continue to blow hot and cold? Can Pirates turn it around and have a say in where the PSL trophy rests at the end of the season? When the Soweto clubs are playing well, the country tends to do be more upbeat and the league ‘better’ to watch.
4. Afcon U20 joy
There will be no Ghana or Nigeria to stand in Amajita’s way in February which gives the country a major chance at lifting the title. The team is likely to be one of the best ever assembled with the likes of Teboho Mokoena, Luyanda Ntshangase, Phakamani Mahlambi, Liam Jordan, Luther Singh, Zama Rambuwane and Siphesihle Mdlalose in the mix. It won’t be easy, it never is, but this crop of youngsters are set for big things and winning Afcon U20 is just the start they need.
What’s on your wishlist? Let me know on Twitter: @wadepretorius
