South Africa's Katlego Mashego, left, vies for the ball with New Zealand's Andy Boyens during their Confederations Cup Group A soccer match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, Wednesday, June 17, 2009. South Africa won 2-0. AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell
Granted, it was against a hopelessly outclassed New Zealand, who appear to be doing more damage than good to their World Cup qualification hopes, but what a sight to behold the second half performance from South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, or ‘the boys’ as it translates, was.
The confidence up thanks to two goals from shadow striker Bernard Parker, one in each half, the party tricks came out in the final half-hour, and when Kaiser’s left-sided trickster Siphiwe Tshabalala (pronounced Cha-ba-la-la) came on with 10 or so minutes to go, the showmanship was upped a level or two.
I’ve been hearing a fair bit about Tshabalala from a South African friend who keeps a keen eye on matters back home, and it’s easy to see why the fans absolutely adore him.
Had it not been for the excellent work from Victory’s Glen Moss and some over-zealous offside calls in the second period, it really might have been five or six, or more.
The fact the Bafana weren’t able to capitalise on their superiority might ultimately come back to bite them, for Iraq turned around their disappointing first display with a very polished and organised defensive job on Spain to only concede one goal.
Who gets through to the semis along with Spain might ultimately come down to how much damage the Iraqi’s, who have hitherto shown little attacking intent, can do against the Kiwis, sadly one of the worst and most disorganised international sides I can remember seeing at such an event.
While Parker grabbed the headlines, the star of this Bafana performance was Everton’s Steven Pienaar, who pulled the strings from his advanced midfield role and kept the team ticking with his wonderful vision and quick feet.
Schooled in the Ajax way, with its emphasis on touch, I’ve been a long-time admirer, from the days earlier this decade when he burst into the Ajax 11 alongside the likes of Rafael van der Vaart, Wesley Sneijder and Zlatan Ibrahimovich.
That team was young but played some sensational football, both domestically and in the Champions League, and Pienaar was earmarked as a star of the future.
His next move, to Germany, didn’t prove as fruitful, and like many talented kids, he looked like he might fall off the radar.
But ability doesn’t fade, and once he toughened up mentally, he was soon over at Everton, where this season he dished up some sparkling stuff in a midfield which mixes the toughness of Cahill and Fellaini with the guile of Pienaar and Arteta.
At 27, he might be peaking just in time to wow the world next year.
Indeed, it would be wonderful if the Bafana take the confidence from this second half display, go on to make the semi finals, build on it throughout the next 12 months and put a smile on the nation and the worlds face next year.
The scenes of them walking to the dressing room, pre-game, singing in unison, were something else.
On the on-field evidence here, they are sitting on an absolute gold-mine with players of the technical calibre of Parker, Pienaar, Teko Modise, left back Tsepo Masilela and the two subs, Tshabalala and Katlego Mashebo.
The great Doctor Khumalo would have watched it, and loved it.
Throw Benni McCarthy into the mix, to finish off some of the fancy footwork, and next year’s party will be special, if it comes off.
It could really go either way, but for the sake of the world and the rainbow nation, let’s hope it’s more of what we saw in Rustenburg.
Follow Tony on Twitter @TonyTannousTRBA
Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.
The Crowd Says (7) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
Do you have what it takes to become a sports writer? Write for the roar
Football articles
- Phoenix need more than flash in the pan crowds (133)
- ‘New football’ fans may help save the game in Australia (124)
- Does Tasmania have a case for A-League inclusion? (119)
- What happened in Port Said was not a football riot (118)
- Magilton struggling to make a mark (68)
- Socceroos screwed over by FIFA, again (41)
- Gulf influence cripples the FFA again (40)
- Liam Miller: Bargain buy of the A-League season?
- Zambia plays Cup of Nations final in memory of their fallen (5)
- Capello’s resignation ends an awkward marriage (7)
- Does the A-League need an injection of humour? (33)
- Redknapp the best bet to clean up Capello’s England mess (2)
- Redknapp tight-lipped over England job
- Departing Lavicka has players’ respect
- Liam Miller: Bargain buy of the A-League season? (0)
- Zambia plays Cup of Nations final in memory of their fallen (5)
- Capello’s resignation ends an awkward marriage (7)
- Redknapp the best bet to clean up Capello’s England mess (2)
- Melbourne derby reveals tale of two journeys (3)
- O’ so close for John: How JON almost landed the biggest job in sport (16)
- Capello ‘walks’ from England’s top job (13)
Viscount Crouchback said | June 20th 2009 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Can anyone explain why New Zealand are present at this tournament?
They are the most inappropriate guests at a major sporting event since Eric the Eel splashed his way through the Sydney Olympics.
Jerry said | June 20th 2009 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Cause Australia, seeking better competition and a better shot at World Cup qualification, headed off to the Asia group. This left NZ having to only beat the likes of Vanuatu and Samoa to top the Oceana group and qualify for the Confed Cup. They had managed to knock off Aus once previously to qualify (though Aus didn’t have any overseas based players from memory) but now they’re going to be a fixture meaning regular drubbings from the best of Europe, South America etc.
David V. said | June 20th 2009 @ 12:39pm | Report comment
It was “only” New Zealand- doesn’t make up for the fact that South Africa’s results in recent African tournaments have been very poor. They’ve had to come to the realisation that they’re not even part of the continent’s elite!
jimbo said | June 20th 2009 @ 4:18pm | Report comment
Shame about the All White’s performance in the Confederation Cup, after their promising trial game against Italy.
The excuses for them sound like us 20 years ago. Best thing that ever happened to FFA moving into Asia.
I’m sure they’ll bounce back in time for the WC qualifier against Bahrain or the Saudis, who they are quite capable of beating at home.
South Africa as the host nation a little disappointing and still not as good as Egypt or other African Champions.
If they get a tough draw they probably won’t make the second round of their home FIFA World Cup.
David V. said | June 20th 2009 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
Well considering the quality of the average African team would be higher than the average Asian team, you’d think so.
But South Africa’s performances considered- they were very close to making the second round of 2002 and failed to qualify for 2006. Add to that, they failed to make the quarter-finals in three successive Nations Cups. Which tells me that like China, they often fail to meet expectations.
Albert Ross said | June 21st 2009 @ 9:34pm | Report comment
>>Well considering the quality of the average African team would be higher than the average Asian team, you’d think so.
I wish you would do some research before making such statements. Using ELO Ratings (WC Qualifying) as a metric the average rank of the top 10 nations in Asia is 42 and in Africa 43. Adelaide United beat the top African club side in 2008. Also in 2008 a weak Socceroos side saw off Ghana (then with an ELO rank of 21).
Criebo said | June 22nd 2009 @ 9:19pm | Report comment
Ya, Albert Ross but remember all Africa’s top players are in Europe. You will find Africans in all the top Europeans clubs, Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter, etc; while apart from Park that is a substitute @ United, the Asians don’t play for the top teams.