Introduction
Is this the Bafana Bafana revival we've been waiting for? After years of underwhelming performances, failures to qualify and flops on the biggest stage, Ephraim Mashaba seems to have found the magic formula at last. It is perhaps telling that this current South Africa side lacks the big names and their vast numbers of caps that Gordon Igesund's stale, moribund teams often had. Though this isn't his first stint in charge, he has made a refreshing change despite being branded the 'cheap option' when he was appointed in July.
South Africa qualified unbeaten from what appeared to be a tricky group; though they did benefit from Nigeria's struggles, they beat Sudan home and away and also won in Congo, which was enough to convince some of the doubters. This is the first tournament they have qualified for outright since 2008 (after qualifying for two as the host nation), removing a millstone that has weighed around their neck for the last few years.
Of course, also weighing on the minds of players and fans is the death of Senzo Meyiwa. The Orlando Pirates star had quickly established himself as captain of the side in the first four matches of the campaign in the absence of the injured Itumeleng Khune, keeping clean sheets in all of them. His murder profoundly affected South African football, but the team went on to secure qualification playing for him.
Being handed the toughest group in the tournament will have dampened expectations of neutral observers somewhat, but Bafana Bafana remains one of the most popular African national sides and there will be immense pressure from the fans back home, especially as they have now shown a glimpse of immense quality.
Itumeleng Khune, keeping clean sheets in all of them. His murder profoundly affected South African football, but the team went on to secure qualification playing for him.
Being handed the toughest group in the tournament will have dampened expectations of neutral observers somewhat, but Bafana Bafana remains one of the most popular African national sides and there will be immense pressure from the fans back home, especially as they have now shown a glimpse of immense quality.
The Framework
If you have been scarred by the painful performances under Gordon Igesund, fear not: this is much more attractive. Mashaba, who has always been a form-over-reputation selector, tends to favour a traditional 4-4-2. In this case, this has usually been headed by the little-and-large partnership of 5-foot-8 Tokelo Rantie and 6-foot-3 Bongani Ndulula, who contributed an average of a goal a game between them. The main supplier has been Ajax playmaker Thulani Serero, who has finally begun to deliver on his enormous promise, but he has surprisingly been left out of the squad. All of this is backed up by a defence that kept four clean sheets in a row. The result is a side that concedes few without sacrificing attacking intent.
South Africa