Just as I had predicted in last week’s column of the Football Digest, swords were once again out for Bafana Bafana following the false start in their opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations against Mali.
1. Introduction
1.1 False Start: Bafana Bafana’s Opening Game
The 2-0 defeat on Tuesday cut deep, especially after South Africa dominated the opening 45 minutes and missed a crucial penalty that would have changed the whole complexion of the game.
1.2 The Pain of the 2-0 Defeat
The loss was made even more painful by the sheer volume of anti-Bafana critics who were out in full force to twist the dagger even further on those that believe in the team. The banter about needing calculators to determine how many points the ’96 champions will need to qualify for next round were already floating around.
2. The Critics and the Banter
2.1 Dominance Turned Defeat
Here is what I think, not all is lost and there is still a lot to play for in Group E. If Bafana bags maximum points in a must-win game against Namibia tomorrow and Tunisia next week Wednesday, they can still reach the last 16 round of Africa’s continental showpiece.
2.2 The Crucial Missed Penalty
Do I think they are capable of bouncing back? Yes, absolutely, these players have been here before. En route to qualifying for the Nations Cup, daggers were also out for them following the 2-2 draw against Liberia at Orlando Stadium but against all odds they overcame the storm to beat the Lone Stars away from home in Monrovia to book their sport at Afcon.
2.3 Calculators and Qualification
According to naysayers, it was a game that was meant to break them and prove how useless they were but against all expectations, they showed resolve.
3. The Optimistic Outlook
3.1 All is Not Lost: Group E Possibilities
It’s also not uncommon for a team to lose their opening game of the tournament but end up winning it. Spain did it in 2010, they clinched the world cup after a false start against Switzerland and Argentina also recovered from their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia to lift the world cup trophy two years ago.
3.2 Must-Win Games Against Namibia and Tunisia
Broos has some big calls to make ahead of the clash against neighbours Namibia. If Bafana are to silence their detractors. South Africa needs a better central pairing in defence especially against the speedy and hard-running Peter Shalulile. Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana are much better suited for the big stage.
4. Bafana’s Resilience
4.1 Familiar Territory: Overcoming Critics
With that said, I’m still wearing my Bafana jersey with pride and backing the team to bounce back from their disappointing loss. It must be said that the Brave Warriors won’t be a walk in the park after they produced a stunning 1-0 upset against Tunisia to rewrite history and register their first Afcon win.
4.2 Storming Through Afcon Qualifiers
Although, Tunisia, have a better head-to-head record against Bafana in Afcon tournaments, Namibia has already proven that they are also beatable and Bafana have enough firepower to blow away the North Africans.
4.3 Revenge Against Morocco
5. Historical Precedents
5.1 False Starts and Ultimate Triumphs
Broos has some big calls to make ahead of the clash against neighbours Namibia. If Bafana are to silence their detractors. South Africa needs a better central pairing in defence especially against the speedy and hard-running Peter Shalulile. Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana are much better suited for the big stage.
5.2 Spain’s 2010 World Cup Journey
With that said, I’m still wearing my Bafana jersey with pride and backing the team to bounce back from their disappointing loss. It must be said that the Brave Warriors won’t be a walk in the park after they produced a stunning 1-0 upset against Tunisia to rewrite history and register their first Afcon win.
5.3 Argentina’s Recovery in 2022
Although, Tunisia, have a better head-to-head record against Bafana in Afcon tournaments, Namibia has already proven that they are also beatable and Bafana have enough firepower to blow away the North Africans.
6. Broos’s Dilemma
6.1 Tactical Decisions Against Namibia
Broos has some big calls to make ahead of the clash against neighbours Namibia. If Bafana are to silence their detractors. South Africa needs a better central pairing in defence especially against the speedy and hard-running Peter Shalulile. Mothobi Mvala and Grant Kekana are much better suited for the big stage.
