Bring the Proteas for a Test match, they are certainly unmatched. But that certainly diverts a little for the Bafana Bafana, South Africa’s senior soccer side.
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations hosts’ team is in the spot light to repeat the 1996 magic when they won it for their maiden time just three years after the end of the dark days of the Apartheid rule.
The Boys are already hoping that the fortunes of 17 years ago land on them as they seek to restore pride of the South Africans.
Well, they have the home advantage. They will have many fans behind multi-coloured vuvuzelas backing them throughout the entire 270 minutes, at least for the guaranteed first three Group A games.
Yes the country’s minister of Sports and recreation Fikile Mbalula insists they are ready to host the 29th edition of the continent’s glamorous soccer showpiece but a lot needs polishing for Gordon Igesund’s boys.
Time is not on their side as they are just less 160 hours to their opening fixture with new comers Cape Verde at the National Stadium in Johannesburg but still better late than never.
South Africa needs the front line to sparkle, something that has denied fans joy in their past friendly matches. The team can hardly score.
That’s one of their few weaknesses but quite vital. If the best way of defending is attacking and there no significant results up front, then everything is bound to crumble at one stage.
Critics will point fingers to those in charge why Everton play maker Steven Pienaar or impressive home boy Teko Modise were left out. The forwards were still firing blanks in front goal even in their stalemate with North Africans Algeria at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday.
For those who watched their encounter with Norway, it was not much different. Titak Elyounounssi’s 41st minute goal past Itumeleng Khune decided it all with no response from the hosts.
So ardent are all eager to watch South Africa’s opponents pick a ball from their own net at least as soon they begin to feel the beat at Africa’s feet come Saturday.
Back in 96′, under the guise of Clive Baker, the hosts had fire power in Shaun Bartlet, John Moshoeu and Mark Williams. The latter pair finished with four goals apiece, just one behind eventual top scorer Zambian Kalushya Bwalya while Bartlet had two.
Now the country’s football association president, Bwalya was named player of the tournament.
Then, at the 20th edition, South Africa scored 11 enroute clinching the crown but the road was smoothened after Nigeria, the arguably the strongest side then had opted out.
And now a thirsty Ivory Coast, a daunting Ghana and defending champions Zambia, you hardly think South Africa can make the last four.
But as hosts, despite the lack of top quality in the squad, a quarterfinal finish would do justice for the neutrals. That’s my view.
The first may not be a tough one but against Angola on January 23 and Atlas Lions Morocco in match 17 four days later are the two demanding ties for the Bafana Bafana.
At least they should make it count in their first two games.
Beyond that, home fans ought to keep fingers crossed for four-time winners Ghana or last year’s semi-finalists Mali are the most probable opponents in the quarters. South Africa last appeared in 2008 in Ghana despite their consolation – hosting the world cup.
Nonetheless, miracles happen especially for any host of a tournament.
If heptathlon girl Jessica Ennis, long jump athlete Greg Rutherford, long distance runner Somali-born Mo Farah, the rowing men’s coxless four and cycling women’s team pursuit all had a gold rush for hosts Great Britain on August 4 at the XXX Olympiad, then South Africa can keep their dream intact too.