Bafana Bafana’s organization impressed me even more than the 2-0 scoreline away from home in Uyo, Nigeria.
Coach Stuart Baxter is known for his attention to detail and his
ability to switch between systems mid-game, utilizing his transition
tactics that won him two PSL titles with Kaizer Chiefs and got his last
club, SuperSport United into three Cup finals in 18 months.
His performance away in Africa reminded me of the tactical discipline
Bafana Bafana once produced under Carlos Queiroz’s reign. That’s the
ideal template to follow when you consider that Queiroz consistently
qualified South Africa for the Afcon, as well as the 2002 Fifa World
Cup.
At the start of the game SA knew they needed to be patient for
Baxter’s impact to be realised. When a coach places tremendous focus on
drilling a mechanical system, it’s only natural that it takes time to
get drilled into the players. The South Africans were disadvantaged to
go to one of the most difficult countries away in Africa with a new
drawing board. In terms of performances Bafana were not doing badly
under Shakes Mashaba, having beaten Senegal and going 16 games unbeaten.
It’s true that new coaches get that little bit extra from players to
start with, and that it takes time to measure true success. However,
this was not a result gained through passion alone. It was a perfectly
executed game plan from the coach to the players.
Though, it must be said that Bafana Bafana did start shakily in Uyo.
In the first ten minutes, the visitors defended awfully as they were
struggling to deal with Nigeria’s pace. Our defenders made matters worse
for themselves by ‘clearing’ the ball back to Nigeria in dangerous
positions. With the likes of Kelechi Iheanacho lurking, they should’ve
safely kicked the ball out. I believe the worst you can say about the
Super Eagles is that with their superior firepower they failed to take
advantage of Bafana Bafana, to such an extent that their attackers were
not even in the right positions to cash in.
After that, South Africa seemed to play a higher line and the home
side was caught off side. From then on they grew frustrated together
with the crowd. The visitors did virtually nothing in the first half,
apart from being gifted a guilt edged chance from close in, thanks to
the keeper Daniel Akpeyi spilling the ball. With the goal at his mercy,
Themba Zwane hit the post to Baxter’s disbelief.
The first half told us that Baxter’s playing much more defensively
than previous coach Shakes Mashaba who didn’t show any respect to
opposition. You’d be thinking that this was going to be one of those
grinded out, ugly 0-0 draws. I enjoyed watching Bafana play under
Mashaba. We’d get into good positions with big goals but the
concentration wasn’t there to last, as SA always let the opposition back
into the game. So, under Shakes we’d end up with good performances but
drawn results (against Nigeria and Cameroon), and in one case we managed
to turn a winning position against Algeria into defeat. So, the real
test in Uyo was after Bafana went 1-0 up. The opening goal came from
Nigeria’s poor aerial coverage and the keeper was too easily beaten on
his near post by a Tokelo Rantie header.
Did Bafana pass their test? Yes, emphatically. To rub it in I have to
say, South Africa could’ve won this game 5-0 which is an unbelievable
statement to make. Look closely at the game and you will find it’s true.
Zwane hit the post twice when he surely should’ve scored easily. The
second time was after a beautiful move with two back heeled passes.
Zwane eased through the Nigerian defenders and when he hit the post
again, you wondered if SA would get a better chance to seal it.
Not against top teams like Nigeria, you’d think? Actually, the Super
Eagles fell apart. To continue to prove my point, Keagan Dolly should’ve
been awarded a clear penalty when through on goal but the Nigerians
clearly pushed him back with his hands. Not to be deflated, South
Africa’s quality never stopped shining on the night and Dolly produced
the perfect through ball for Percy Tau on the break. Tau used his pace
to easily get away from the keeper. If you look closely Akpeyi attempted
to take Tau out and should’ve been sent off there. Nevertheless Tau
shook off the push and still had time to find the ball again, before
slotting it into an open goal.
With Nigeria rattled, they were there for the taking and Manyama
could’ve made it three… Ever since the Nigerians were chasing the game
they left too much space in wide positions. Baxter made the perfect
substitutions with Manyama and Tau to exploit Nigeria on the counter
attack.
Now, South Africa just needs to show the same level of
professionalism in their remaining Afcon and Fifa World Cup qualifiers.
We can only speak of a great new era when we earn that ticket to Russia
2018. For now, this has to be South Africa’s best ever single result in a
competitive game. South Africa’s 1-0 victory against Spain, when the
visitors were reigning World and European champions, is a tough act to
surpass in friendly matches.
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