Santana seeks a star against Malawi
Brad Morgan
26 September 2008
South African soccer fans and commentators were severely critical of coach Joel Santana after Bafana Bafana's last effort, a 1-0 loss to Guinea. The Brazilian will be under the spotlight again on Tuesday, when South Africa host Malawi at Germiston Stadium near Johannesburg.
The national team has steadily, inexorably, slipped down the Fifa world rankings in recent years, and currently is in 70th position. With the approach of the World Cup, it's a situation that has even drawn comment from Fifa President Sepp Blatter, who declared himself disappointed with Bafana's form.
On a visit to South Africa, Blatter told journalists: "I am disappointed that, during the years since 2004 when this World Cup has been given to South Africa, the national team is not better."
Mitigating circumstances
While Bafana Bafana went down to Guinea, lost amid the condemnation of yet another defeat were some mitigating circumstances – circumstances that could stand SA in better stead further down the road, specifically at the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
The Guinea side that defeated Bafana is ranked 29 places above SA, but, more importantly, what many people failed to recognise, is that the South African team that took on the Guineans was completely different from the one that lost to Nigeria on the preceding weekend; Santana opted to give fringe players a run instead of using players who he has already seen in international action.
It was a brave decision by Santana, given the South African side's run of poor results and the public's demand for winning football. It was also a decision that should prove more valuable further down the road.
An opportunity
When Santana took over as Bafana Bafana coach he was thrown onto the proverbial hot seat, slap bang in the middle of the side's toughest and most important fixtures of the year. Only now is he truly being given an opportunity to make a difference.
Taking over when he did, Santana could not properly put his imprint on the team without first understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the players at his disposal. Now, with a good number of games under his belt, he has the opportunity to make a difference.
For the Malawi game, Santana has opted for a squad of 23 players who are on the fringe of making it into the first choice line-up. The squad is also entirely home-based; finding local players who have the goods would be a big bonus because dealing with the clubs of players based overseas is one of the most difficult of all the duties of a national coach.
Transition
It is a time of transition for Bafana Bafana and that is reflected in the PSL where the traditional powerhouses – Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns – no longer have things their own way. Identifying South Africa's talent is no longer as simple as looking at the big three. Although they are the first places one would look, all of SA's clubs need to be given a look-in.
Before the Fifa World Cup takes place on home soil, Santana will have the opportunity of a mini dress rehearsal when Bafana Bafana take part in the Confederations Cup, which features the champion teams of Fifa's different confederations. If Santana can identify and blood one or two local players before the Confederations Cup his fringe players selections will be justified. The coach says the identification of such players will come to a conclusion at the end of this year.
Players who have been called up for the first time for the Malawi match include Bloemfontein Celtic goalkeeper Shu-Aib Walters, SuperSport United defender Morgan Gould, Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Santos striker Eleazar Rodgers.
Club representation
The big three teams supply 11 players, with Orlando Pirates' representation of five players the biggest of any club. SuperSport United, the defending PSL champions, have four players in the line-up, including three defenders; it is said that defence wins championships.
Having 15 players from four clubs is something that could work in favour of Bafana Bafana because it helps with familiarity and, more specifically, combinations.
Although coach Santana has not selected his best available squad, a loss to Malawi should, nonetheless, not be negotiable. The Malawians are ranked 110th in the Fifa World Rankings and the time to start turning South Africa's fortunes around is now. Finding a hidden gem in Tuesday night's line-up would go some way towards making that happen.
Tickets for the match are on sale at Computicket outlets and cost from R20 to R30.
BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando PIrates), Shu-Aib Walters (Bloemfontein Celtic)
Midfielders: Daine Klate (SuperSport United), Lefa Tsutsulupa (Moroka Swallows), Kagisho Dikgacoi (Golden Arrows), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Lebogang Mothibantwa (Orlando Pirates),Thulasizwe Mbuyane (Orlando Pirates), Reneilwe Letshononyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Gert Schalkwyk (Kaizer Chiefs), Siphiwe Tshabalala ( Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Nazeer Allie (Ajax Cape Town), Brett Evans (Ajax Cape Town), Siboniso Gaxa (SuperSport United), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Morgan Gould (SuperSport United), Mbulelo Mabizela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Robyn Johannes (Mamelodi Sundowns), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates)
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