Santana’s do or die encounter

I foresee an influx of job-hunting Brazilians raiding our shores in the not so distant future. This would be one incoming swarm, which even our self-styled special tactics division in Alexandra could never stop.

A precedent has been set. The likelihood that a Brazilian job-hunter could be valued at no less than R1 million is as good as Bafana Bafana’s chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

There can be no doubt that the soccer balls for the tournament are yet to be manufactured — as per tradition — but Brazil is already leading South Africa by two very costly goals.

Brazilian Carlos Alberto Pareirra scored the first and left the soccer-loving rainbow nation in a not so colorful state. But they were not finished. Not in a million years.

As the charismatic Joel Santana cruised in to nail the second, it seemed the supporters of the host nation were in deep anguish, and ready to revoke their citizenship anytime.

“These guys must have balls!” cried the frustrated fans to the deaf ears of those who are supposed to be listening.

As we anticipate Bafana Bafana’s clash against Equatorial Guinea on Saturday, my inquisitive mind ponders the possibility of another Brazilian coach waiting in the wings, ready to take a slide down the rainbow and plunge into the pot of gold at the end.

I say this because Joel Santana is lucky to still be employed. If I were him, I wouldn’t mind sending a bag full of Naira up north. I’m quite certain the exchange rate won’t even dent his pocket.

Nigeria was very sympathetic. They saved him the embarrassment of being the shortest serving Bafana coach ever.

Had Nigeria scored 4 goals, Santana would have been history. He was never going to be forgiven for reminding the economic powerhouse of Africa that they were once labeled the 4×4’s (four-by-four’s) of continental football. This was the time when we were the whipping boys of Africa.

I know it looks like we have indeed come full circle, but I don’t think Santana would want to be the messenger delivering this particular confirmation. We can accept losing to Nigeria by any score – even 5 goals — but not 4.

I am grateful though that it (the 4×4) did not happen. I’m equally grateful that we did not win. The thought of angry Nigerians, remembering images of their own being chased in the streets, was hard to swallow. We will never again be free playing elsewhere in the continent, but I do trust that my African brothers are born with an amazingly forgiving soul.

Is it not amazing how we always manage to attract regrettable deeds unto ourselves? Some even cost us millions!

Come this Saturday, Santana will have to put his expertise where his money is. I don’t see him getting another spin at the jackpot if he plays the wrong cards again.