The Boks-Bafana Irony

After losing to the USA (1-o) Bafana are being lambasted again. In fairness, the USA have a higher ranking than Bafana (I think 20 slots higher). But since Bafana are not winning any matches, 'the people' are starting to whine and dine on Bafana. One guy called into a breakfast show saying we're not going to win anything, so we should buy players from overseas. That's transformation in reverse isn't it? I found that very ironic.

Bafana sleep on
Yankees doodle Bafana

I also glanced at a section in the Sunday players profiling and ranking our players. Lots of 5's and 6's, plus the odd 7. Benni got a 5 because he hasn't been able to turn opportunities into goals. Bad luck perhaps? Oh and one other thing; 1 white player, the goalie, in the squad. No one cares, I'm just pointing out that it's ironic.

What's happening is the local interest and money in PSL and the like is enough to draw attention and player's commitment away from the SA squad. I think Bafana need two things:
1) to win a few games
2) the sort of high level marketing and sponsorship the Boks got (which is based on point one).

To win Parreira needs more than one day with his players. I feel for the guy. How can you build an integrated unit when they're never together to practise? They need to get their act together soon, otherwise Bafana are going to drive the locals bananas come 2010.

Meanwhile, the Springbok team is already a completely different squad, with at least a handful of players moved on to different things. Jake White quite aptly said: It was never going to be the same anyway..."

In the Sunday Times Clinton van den Berg also points out that while a decent oke, White isn't necessarily an angel. White owed this man a place in his book

Should Bafana Bafana Be Renamed? (POLL RESULTS)

The Sowetan online ran a poll and there is a split straight down the middle. Over Almost 4500 people voted, and for a while there was a slight majority voting Yes. The question is:

1) Why rename them?

2) What would you name them?

Changing the name starts with re-establishing identity, and identity must be defined - at least in part - by purpose. I don't get the feeling that Bafana are getting the sort of buy-in that the Boks are. Maybe the team just needs to start polishing itself, go and learn some skill, and have hungry players, aggressive and passionate players selected.

Perhaps we can have an unofficial 'Barbarian Bok' soccer team, chosen by popular vote. You get these guys to play Bafana, and then if they're competitive, you chose some of these grass roots guys for the national team. And it's a great way to get the whole country involved in the soccer world cup...