Opinion

Do or die for Bafana and Baxter

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Stuart Baxter, coach of Bafana Bafana chats with players during a training session

The interest of the South African public in Bafana Bafana has noticeably faded over the years, but Stuart Baxter and his team have a chance to take a step towards redemption on Sunday.  DEAN WORKMAN explores.

Baxter took charge of Bafana in May 2017 and has guided his side to within one point of qualifying for this year’s African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Even so, Bafana have endured a somewhat inconsistent qualification campaign after picking up a historic 2-0 win over Nigeria in Uyo in their first game in the qualifying group.

Then, despite getting off to the perfect start, Baxter’s charges drew 0-0 at home to Libya before smashing the Seychelles 6-0 in Johannesburg.

Bafana had a chance to take control of the group, but they inexplicably drew 0-0 with the Seychelles, mere days after thumping them at the FNB Stadium.

Baxter’s men then held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw towards the end of 2018, which saw Gernot Rohr’s men secure their qualification for the showpiece event, while Bafana now know they only need a draw away against Libya to seal their spot for the major tournament.

On the surface, there should be a positivity around the side, who have not lost any of their qualification games so far, but the truth is that the South African public are anticipating more disappointment before it even happens.

There has been much talk on social media and in footballing circles ahead of the game in Sfax on Sunday, and much of it has had a negative tone.

There can be no beating around the bush when assessing the team’s performances in recent years, and particularly their inability to qualify for major tournaments.

Sunday, however, offers Baxter and his charges the perfect chance to go and put in a performance of character and heart in a bid to start making the fans believe again.

Should Bafana lose the encounter, there will be nowhere to hide for Baxter, who already has said he could walk away from the job, but this would only mean another step backwards for the South African national team and their vision for the future.

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix