The 2015 African cup of nations could not have come at a better time for South African football, not least their dominant performance on the qualifiers. Renowned for their rugby Union and commercials on televisions, the 1996 continental champions are back amongst the elite on the continent.
From their four consecutive clean sheets to the demise of their trusted goalkeeper in Senzo Meyiwa, the fairytale story of the Baffana knows no bound. The Madiba magic in 1996 might forever remain their brightest campaign on the continental showpiece, but the performance of the side in the qualifiers reminds the continent of what they were missing-telepathic and well lubricated team work.
Qualifying to the Promised land with a game to spare, the south African then left an indelible mark on the qualifiers by holding defending champions to a nail biting 2-2 drawn game in Abuja, elimination the defending champions in the process. Led by their inspirational forward in Bonghani Thulani and Thokelu Rantie, their 12 points amassed in the qualifiers is not only their best in recent qualifiers but the 3rd best on the continent at large.
Their goal machinery is not far behind the continental elite either, as they are just 4 goals shy of the top spot on the goal scoring chart. Their average goal of 1 in every 62.67 minutes is by far their best in recent memories, considering they featured in two nations cup without even scoring a goal.
The Baffana Baffana scored 9 goals in 564 minutes of qualification campaign, while their departed colleague in Senzo Meyiwa, died without conceding a goal in close to 380 minutes of the qualification.
Their defensive unit is bettered by just 2 nations, as their 3 goals conceded is the 3rd best in the continent. The good work done by Shake Mashaba must be commended, given that the South African prefers watching a Rugby match to a league between say Orlando Pirate and Mamelodi Sundowns in the PSL.
Winning the competition on their debut campaign, many expected the South Africans to have built on that winning team for future tournaments. Their 7 more appearances made at the tournament can as well be classified as catastrophic especially in the 21st century.
Always failing to deliver on yearly basis, the South African fans are used to either failing to qualify or leaving just after the group stages. Talented players like Surprise Moriri, Gifty Leremy, Dallen Klasson, Bright Moon, Stephen Pienar, Benni Maccarty and the veteran Syabongo Nomvete have all failed to bail the nation out of troubles. It is not surprising many are tipping to leave Equitorial Guinea earlier than their qualification campaigned might suggest.
Paired alongside favourites like the black stars of Ghana, Taranga Lions of Senegal or the all-conquering Desert foxes of Algeria, one can only imagine the boys the boys playing just 3 matches, as usual. If there ever was a chance for the playing body to rewrite the history books, then AFCON 2015 might just arrive at the right time.
With stellar attacking quartet in Bernard Parker, Tokelu Rantie, Bongani Ndulula and Sibisisu VIlakazi, Shake Ephraim Mashaba might just be well armed for the 2015 continental gathering. If his strikers are world class then a midfield combination of Andile Jali, Dean Furman, Thuso Phala and Oupa Manyisah might just rival any African midfield on their day.
They might still be mourning Senzo Meyiwa as a group, but his replacement in Darren keet, Brilliant Khuziwayo and Jackson Mobokwane are almost at par with him. Can they be inspired enough to get out of the tough group? Shake Mashaba thinks so.
NATIONS CUP HISTORY IN BRIEF
After their 1996 heroics, the Baffana Baffana has suddenly collapsed on the continent despite their brilliant individual stars. With the quality of their local league, one can only imagine how well organized their national team could be.
Whether bad planning, misfiring strikers or lack of support base as compared to Rugby, football in South Africa is still at the level expected of it. The following figures represent the nation’s cup history of south Africa since their debut.
Appearances: 9th
Debut: 1996
Best finish: champions 1996
35-MP 14-MW 9-MD 15-ML 42-GS 35-GC
HEAD –TO- HEAD RECORDS WITH GROUP MEMBERS
NATION
GHANA
ALGERIA
SENEGAL
From their records with the group members one can only imagine what awaits them with the other heavy weights. Five wins in 17 matches is not that bad, but failing to score a single goal in 2 successive tournaments raises different questions. Can they bulldoze their way through? For now, their qualification campaign may just answer that.
STAR PLAYER TO WATCH:
Crying over spliled milk will never bring them back, else the undisputed star of the south African side would have been their former goalkeeper, Senso Meyiwa. His demise late into that faithful Saturday night means, Thokelu Rantie and Dean Furman will have to sort it out among themselves as to who the star player in the Baffana camp is.
With the vision of Xavi Hernandez, the shooting accuracy of Lionel Messi and change of direction like Neymar, Dean Furman is the kind of player whose breeds are interwoven into variety of others. He is simply complete but inconsistent at times.
The goal scoring instincts of Vilakazi must be promising to the Baffana fans, but Tokelu Rantie seem to be a trusted route to goal as demonstrated in the qualifiers. If the main work of a coach is to inspire and psyche up players, then Ephraim Shake Mashaba will have to induce his entourage or risk quitting after the tournament.
With a pool of quality players to draw from, Shake’s 23 man squad for the 2015 edition of the biennial tournament could not have been any better. Can the Baffana win the trophy as a homage to their former colleague and captain in Senzo Meyiwa? RIP Senzo, Go Baffana go Baffana.
Written by : Saani Abacha
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @saani_abacha