Wanted: A hitman for Bafana — desperately!

We all had our fears before this tournament about how Bafana would be swamped in a an avalanche of goals. I thought one may have to hide behind the couch as we squirmed in front of the whole world.

But alas, the boys have done us proud. In fact, one can have a reasonable amount of optimism ahead of the real deal next year. But, and this is a big one, there is one prickly little problem that is hindering our progress.

We don’t have the killer instinct in front of goal. Bafana continues to be like a feather-fisted boxer, full of neat flicks and industry, but simply no knockout ability.

The whole country knows that Brazil and Spain were there for the taking.

These were two teams whose stars had one eye on the bikini-laden beaches they are about to spend a short vacation on.

For Bafana, it was a chance to sneak an almighty shock win. But we bottled it.

The move away from the talented but reluctant Oros man that is Benni McCarthy is commendable. Indeed, no one man is bigger than the team.

Not even Benni.

We certainly missed his composure in the box, though. But one simply must move on. Life goes on, and now somebody must use the coming season to throw their name in the hat.

But if we are to survive beyond the first round at 2010, we need goals.

Katlego Mphela’s brace was a bolt from the blue — especially the free-kick!

But what we need is someone who will bury the bread-and-butter chances, because that is an altogether more reliable source.

The best strikers in the world don’t score a lot of wonder goals; they simply bury the half-chances.

Think of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Alan Shearer and Romario. They were deadly in the box, turning half-chances into goals and providing a constant threat to defenders.

South Africa’s biggest threat came from long-range shots, which can be a bit of a lottery.

Teko Modise went missing, or at least looked like he had swapped his normal shooting boots with Ruan Pienaar. He actually resembled a flat-track bully.

Week in and out, he looks like a million dollars in the Premier League but was found wanting against the really big guns.

Maybe he was trying too hard to impress the European scouts but the Pirates lynchpin did not look likely to loot anybody.

But all in all, the signs suggest that Bafana will be more than just good hosts next year.

In Siboniso Gaxa and Tsepo Masilela we have two fantastic, modern fullbacks.

Our midfield, crowded as it is, has held its own against Kaka, Xavi and the rest, so we just need to acquire a spearhead upfront. Because one thing we cannot count on next time around is a group that houses “continental champions” with the powder-puff credentials of New Zealand and Iraq.

Next time, the best of the rest will be in town.

So we better be ready.