The bigger picture. Always focus on the big picture. There was no disgrace in the 3-1 defeat to Algeria. But some of the criticism of the South African national football squad in the wake of the loss was nothing short of idiotic.
The greatest hindrance to progress in South African football has always been the deep-seated arrogance that characterised the sport. “We are the best, the rest of Africa should just bow down to our superiority. South Africa just needs to pitch up and the result is in the bag.” It’s an attitude that has never endeared this country to the rest of the continent.
It was certainly the prime reason why, after 1996 (when Bafana Bafana were African champions), SA football took a giant leap backwards.
Fortunately, before further rot could set in, the new leadership of the SA Football Association (Safa) put their egos aside and formulated a new, long-term vision for the sport.
Now the masses who follow the sport should also attempt to discard this self-centred, arrogant attitude about the national team – because the vision does NOT include winning the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), currently being held in Equatorial Guinea.
This tournament is seen as a continuation of coach Shakes Mashaba’s continued nurturing, development and building of a new generation of Bafana players, and an opportunity for them to gain much-needed experience against some of the best footballers on the continent.
In short, any victory is a bonus.
Taking into consideration the talent they were up against in the form of Algeria, the continent’s top-ranked team, on paper they should have had no chance. The north Africans boast footballers who perform regularly for top European sides like FC Porto, Napoli, Valencia, Sampdoria, Lyon, Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Betis, Parma, Leicester City and Sporting Lisbon.
Yet, and for the detractors, please bear this in mind, for the better part of the match, Bafana were the better side. Football, as they always say, is not played on paper.
The only difference was that the South Africans’ lack of experience was brutally exploited by the clinical and efficient Algerians.
But this new Bafana generation will be better for the defeat. Invaluable lessons will have been learnt, experience will be gained, and that will stand the squad, and the coach, in good stead in time to come.
It’s about the bigger picture.
So let’s focus on the positives first, before we discuss the limitations.
Since Mashaba’s elevation to the Bafana hot seat, the most obvious improvement has been in the energy, enthusiasm and motivation of the squad. Previous squads have suffered from a “prima donna” complex, in that so-called “name” players would just go through the motions, safe in the knowledge that they would be picked again.
Not so under Mashaba, where Bafana teams are doing the jersey proud, even in defeat. And that, alone, should be sufficient for continuing to believe in the vision.
On Monday night, they swarmed all over their more illustrious Algerian counterparts with pace and skill. They were tigerish in the tackle, never allowed the north Africans to get into any rhythm. The midfield axis of Dean Furman, Andile Jali and Oupa Manyisa trod every blade of grass, while the touch and poise of Sibusiso Vilakazi caused the opposition defence serious problems.
For three-quarters of the match, it was all Bafana.
But this is a cruel sport... if you don’t make the most of your opportunities, it comes back to bite you – painfully.
Squandered scoring chances, a missed penalty and an unfortunate own goal, and the tide turned. It was the sniff Algeria needed and they were ruthless in exploiting it, and then hammering home their advantage.
There’s a lesson there for Bafana. When you have a team on the ropes, in boxing parlance, you have to go in for the knockout punch. Or else, as they discovered, the opponent gets off the floor and comes back strong.
Now for the negatives.
Let’s start right at the top, with Mashaba.
For all the head coach’s fantastic work with the team, his one flaw continues to be his stubbornness about certain players. It’s the main reason he got fired in his last stint as Bafana coach. This time, his non-selections appear to have caught him out again.
The experience of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, the class of Thulani Serero, and the aerial strength and all-round defensive qualities of Tefu Mashamaite could certainly have assisted Bafana on Monday. When Rivaldo Coetzee was injured and forced off, Mashaba had to play two right-backs in the centre of defence in Thulani Hlatshwayo and Anele Ngcongca. Needless to say, they were found wanting.
And then, when down and chasing an equaliser towards the end, there was nothing really effective or creative coming off the bench.
Up front, the wastefulness and selfish approach of Tokelo Rantie also needs to be addressed. There’s no doubt the Bournemouth striker is a quality footballer and his blinding pace is a major asset for the team. But he needs to channel his energy properly – and know when to run, when to pass, when to shoot and when to hold it up. Right now, he wants to run everything and that doesn’t help the team at all.
Darren Keet, too, discovered the perils of being a goalkeeper – in any form of football, be that an international or a Sunday afternoon friendly. Every player on the field can make an error and it’s okay. But when a keeper makes a mistake, that’s it... he’s the villain.
Rantie missed a penalty.... that’s fine. Hlatshwayo netted an own goal... no sweat. The Bafana defence lacked height and organisation at times... but that doesn’t matter.
Keet errs – when Algeria have the game won already – but he bears the brunt of the blame for the defeat.
All in all, though, there’s no need for panic or for some of the gratuitous excoriation a few of the Bafana players have been subjected to. There is a lot that is positive about Mashaba and his exciting new squad. Whether they get through this group or not is NOT the issue... the main thrust is that faith has been restored in the Bafana jersey.
There are still hurdles to overcome, but at least the team’s heading in the right direction. And if they stay on track, keep believing in the vision, then the squad will continue to improve.
It’s about long-term.
It’s about the big picture. - Cape Argus