Bafana warriors display courage, team spirit

No Benni. No Nasief. A keeper who had been struggling at international level and, Macbeth Sibaya.

A recipe for disaster. No?

Not quite. Santana’s troops pulled together and treated the nation to a display of courage, dedication and teamwork unseen since the days of Shakes Mashaba’s now legendary u/23 team of the late 90s. Simply put, they restored the nation’s faith in our football team and we are now more than ever eager as hell for 2010 to come around so we cane make our name known on the world stage. Of course the downside is we are even more aware of how much the playing opportunity at Afcon will be missed. But then again, the lack of pressure may just be what the boys need as they work on the few rough edges in their play still.

Either way, happy days are here again. So here below are my views on the players that thrilled us so and what I thought of their performances. Feel free to do like a true SA sports fan and disagree strongly.

Khune — Boss. Corny, white, teen that phrase may be, but good god it describes his performances to a tee. He still has some technical shortcomings (his positioning of the wall and himself for the two costly set-pieces was not the best but that is a developmental issue *gives coaches a stern eye*. SA has a new Hans Vonk. Long may he reign

Tsepo Masilela — The revelation of the tournament. A leaner, lighter David Nyathi. But just as effective. Held up his end on defence and was our most potent weapon down the flanks.

BOOOOOOOTH — Yeah he has the pace and turning agility of a tugboat but with the defensive mids doing a good job all tournament all he had to do was what he is good at, sweeping, marshalling the defence and being a strong physical presence at the back. Not to mention clearing set-pieces. Now if he could score them. Did more to lead the team than the guy next to him.

Mbazo — Dismal. Expected to carry Booth. The opposite happened. A weak link.

Gaxa — Played well enough. Pity the guy on the other flank was SO much better. Had a bit of Tekositis — trying too hard. His crossing needs work too. But overall, a good prospect going forward.

The defensive mids — I judge them as a unit because as a unit they did their job well. Macbeth learnt to pass (!) and this transformed his contribution to the team immeasurably. He’d be my revelation of the tourney were it not for young Masilela. Kagiso tried too hard at times but was a constant menace. Njomane did himself no disgrace when called on. All in all good spadework from the donkeys.

Teko — Tried too hard and at times this rendered him a liability to the team. Needs to learn to trust those around him more. When he and Schillo interplayed well Bafana were on form. He should look at how Spain’s midfield wizards work as a unit as opposed to brilliant individuals. Disappointing.

Pienaar — Bafana’s player of the tourney. Took on the mantle of playmaker with great aplomb and kept things ticking over going forward, even when just prying for openings at the edge of the player. Hardly ever gave the ball away and brought everyone around him into play. Living up to his early potential.

Parker — Take a bow son. The goal return may not have been the best but Bafana don’t need Benni when he is around running, getting into space, taking shots and doing all that is asked of him with great eagerness and devotion. Are you watching Benni?

Fantemi — Like the other Terror’s venture into politics, very disappointing. He played beneath himself, which is good in the “room for improvement” sense, unlike the other Terror. SA needs their strikers firing in the big stages. He didn’t.

Mashego — Made getting into space look like the easiest thing to do, and then made finishing look like breaking the Da Vinci Code. Frustrating. Needs lots of work on this in the off-season. *Casts a pleading glance at Ruud Krol.*

Mphela — What Mashego didn’t do well he made look easy. Backed himself, and the results showed. A good tourney given the limited time he had.

Joel Santana — Got Bafana to play like a team instead of eleven individuals running around like headless chickens. Cannot be blamed for Bafana not scoring (more) against New Zealand and Iraq. That’s for the players and clubs’ developmental staff to work on. Some question marks over his use and timing of subs. Frequently brought the right players on but at the wrong time. See Mashego against Brazil. All in all though has done well building on Parreira’s initial work.

Walter Mokoena — If he gets himself fired — 8/10 Sir. If not. Frustrating and infuriating.

Biggest loser — Benni.

Biggest winner — As expected by the doomsayers, Nasief. But likely at the expense of Mbazo. Which is the unexpected bit.