Bafana may not have progressed, but we’re still winning

South Africa is a unique place in that there is a blend of cultures and creeds here that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. Sadly for football fans, SA is now also home to the unwanted and unique record of being the only hosts to have not progressed beyond the group stage at a Soccer World Cup.

How should we, as Bafana supporters, feel about this? Andre Arendse rightfully said after the game on Supersport that while Bafana deserved to beat France, we should not lose sight of the fact we failed to qualify for the knockout stages, and as such, should view Bafana’s campaign via that perspective.

The former Bafana goalkeeper is spot on, and yes, Bafana didn’t show the consistency that merits a place in the last 16. But, as fellow talking heads Robert Marawa and Gavin Hunt chimed in, the tournament is bigger than merely following the performances of the national side.

I’m disappointed, but Bafana showed some real promise and played the game with the sort of verve that was distinctly lacking against Uruguay. Fans will be asking, ‘How come you couldn’t play that way all the time?’ Questions will also be asked about Bafana’s tactical set-up since Mphela clearly enjoyed having Bernard Parker around up front to assist in his efforts to make his mark on the scoreboard. Pitso Mosimane seems to be the man in the driving seat to take the reins, and based on what I’ve seen, he’s got some talent to work with, and hopefully, a tactical approach that priorities attack over defence since SA always looks better going forward than being in front of the ball.

These, and other questions, will be addressed at some point in due course, but as things stand now, South Africa has plenty to be proud about. The tournament has progressed quite smoothly with the odd hiccup here and there, but overall its been a tournament to remember (maybe not for the likes of Rob Green … you poor poor man). While I can only see how things are going from Cape Town, the feeling I’m receiving after chatting to the uitlanders is that we have welcomed visiting fans with open arms, and have encouraged them to explore the boundless possibilities our country offers. The visiting fans have in return, and earlier predictions of a staid World Cup seem off the mark now with over 400 000 visitors arriving during the tournament thus far, brought the international gees to our doorsteps. Whenever I’ve gone to the Cape Town CBD since the tournament started, you can hear a variety of accents and languages as you walk around.

The main talking points for this World Cup have primarily been to do with matters on the pitch, which is a tick in the right box. We are hosting a damn fine World Cup, and as such have much to be proud of. The fact South Africa came together, warmed each others hearts and consoled our fellow South Africans when the chips were down will be something I will never forget. I was a bit young to fully realise what the Boks did in 1995, but this is on a whole different level. I’m extremely proud to be a South African and we should all be.

On the field, its been an interesting two weeks hasn’t it? The European teams appear to be more brittle, with the odd exception, than pundits first anticipated. Africa has had a terrible World Cup with only Ghana standing a chance of progressing to the knock stages, plus they should’ve really hammered the Australians.

South America on the other hand is enjoying one of its best ever World Cups, with all five of their sides looking good value for the round of 16. There have also been upsets galore which makes the tournament waaaaaaaaay more interesting to watch. New Zealand drawing with Italy? You couldn’t have made that up, and now, all bets are off as we approach the round of 16.

The goal tally is also picking up as teams adapt to South African conditions and the Jabulani ball, which in fairness to the players, has disappeared very high over the different crossbars dotted within our borders more regularly than expected. In the same breath, while there have been some howlers by the keepers, there have also been some fantastic saves. I’ve always been a goalie sympathiser.

My money is still on Holland doing something, especially with Robben to come back, but their fate will be decided when they possibly face Brazil in the quarters. Germany have been up and down, but once they reach the knockout stages, they can never be written off, especially having never lost a penalty shootout at World Cup level (now that is scary shit).

Italy (too old) and England (their own worst enemy perhaps?) don’t look like champions but Spain will continue to gather steam after swatting aside Honduras. God help their next opponents since the Spaniards are now rather peeved at losing that first game to the Swiss. It’s great news for the fans however since nets are going to be singed by the sound of ball crashing against textile. Portugal are also a side to watch, which states the obvious but any team that can rack up seven goals in a World Cup match in shite conditions are people to be feared.

Brazil and Argentina, who have proved me wrong through their cohesiveness, have played some sublime football up to this point. Diego Maradona’s side especially on attack are fantastic to watch, with their movement off the ball at times unstoppable so let’s hope they can keep their scoring boots on and make a fist of it in the knockouts.

Lionel Messi seems to relishing being the engine that runs that side and while it’s been said before, he is the definition of world class and a player bursting to take this tournament by the scruff of the neck. A truly wonderful artisan of the football and a privilege to watch. No wonder Barcelona were so keen to sign him when he was younger, he signed his contract on the back of a napkin reportedly. No wonder the Catalans are so smug when it comes to football.

It’s been a great two weeks, and while we may have lost on the field, everywhere else South Africa is winning by a long stretch everywhere else (especially those who have been frequenting the bars). Bring on the knockouts!