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Goal explains why it is imperative for the national team to start recording positive results consistently
Namibia was seen as the perfect opponent for South Africa, as it returned to action for the first time since November 2019.
The Bafana Bafana were using the friendly match in preparation for next month’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe.
Coach Molefi Ntseki was looking to make sure Bafana built momentum heading into the two competitive games by securing a routine win over the Brave Warriors on Thursday night.
However, South Africa had a mediocre performance drawing 1-1 with Namibia, which came to the clash after losing all four of their previous games against Bafana.
Ntseki was expected to pick up where Stuart Baxter had left off after serving with the experienced British tactician as an assistant coach for the Bafana.
The national team made good progress with Baxter and the former Finland coach transformed Bafana into a competitive team with good structure and qualified for the 2019 Afcon final.
Ntseki began his tenure as the Bafana’s new coach 12 months ago guiding the South Africans to a narrow 2-1 victory over Mali at home in the 2019 Nelson Mandela Challenge.
Bafana then succumbed to a disappointing 2-0 loss to Ghana on the road, before working towards a 1-0 win over Sudan at home in the 2022 Afcon qualifiers in November 2019.
The 1996 African champions have played without structure or cohesion since Ntseki took over from Baxter and his team plays as if they are still experimenting.
Ntseki made wholesale changes to the team that defeated Sudan and the starting lineup for the Namibia clash raised some eyebrows.
Thibang Phete, Siyethemba Sithebe and Thabo Nodada made their international debut on an experimental team, as key players like Thulani Hatshwayo and Percy Tau were left on the bench.
It is too early to judge the 50-year-old strategist, but his team is not playing with the authority they should have with South Africa seeking to qualify for its second straight Afcon final.
Benching players like the Bafana captain Hlatshwayo and the talisman Tau will derail the team’s progress as they were the backbone of the Bafana team that qualified for the 2019 tournament and reached the quarterfinals.
The former South Africa U-17 coach needs to find the perfect mix between new and experienced players on the team as time is running out to introduce experimental teams.
Bafana have to develop a habit of winning, which means taking every game they play seriously and seeking victory every moment.
The Vision 2022 deadline is also just around the corner with Bafana set to start their qualifying campaign for the 2022 FIFA World Cup next year and they should already be winning their games.
Achieving positive results in the 2022 Afcon qualifiers will put Ntseki’s team in good stead when it begins its World Cup qualification campaign in May 2021.
Sunday’s clash against Zambia will give Ntseki the opportunity to present a competitive and experienced team that can secure a victory in their final friendly match before facing Sao Tome and Principe.
A win over the 2012 African champions would give the Bafana a huge boost heading into their two crucial consecutive games against the Falcons and True Parrots Team next month.
South Africa are currently second in their qualifying group and two wins over São Tomé and Príncipe could put them in the driver’s seat in Group C with two games to play.
