Bafana Update

ok, so Bafana played yet another pre-world cup warm up game last night, this time against the 39th ranked Bulgaria. Bafana (ranked 90th) managed to keep the Bulgarians at bay, getting a 1-1 draw out of the friendly.

Now, I know a lot of you are thinking, 'how are the national side going to beat Mexico (17th) and France (10th), if they can't even win against Bulgaria?'

Thing is, we can't look at it like that! We, the fans, have to realize that the team are still in preperation stage, and are still working on tactics, and looking to see which players play well together and complement each other's style! Even Portugal (ranked 3rd) only managed a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde (ranked 117th). This result is a whole lot worse that ours...but, I know that some people will still bet money on Portugal to take the cup...

Rome was not built in a day!!!

Some of the overseas-based players, played their first game in SA colors before the world cup, we have to give them time to adjust, and get back into the rhythem of Bafana's playing style!

We also need to keep in mind, that our best player, Steven Pienaar, who aplies his trade for Everton FC in England, did not play last night - Carlos Alberto Parreira decided Pienaar deserves a break, after a long season with his club, where he was also named player of the season.

All considering, we played a great game last night, with very tight and organised defending. The team looked good on attack, with the midfielders creating a lot of opportunities for the forwards to put the ball in the net. SA took the went ahead in the 20th minute, thanks to a great header from defender Siyabonga Sangweni.

This has been our main problem thus far...finishing! I just hope that Parreira will at least give Benni McCarthy a chance to play a full game, before the start of the tournament, just to see what our 'fat and unfit' forward can pull out of the hat. (Those of us with good memory, will remember that when Brazil's Ronoldo were being labeled 'fat and unfit' for the 2006 World-Cup in Germany, he managed to clinch a record 15 goals in World Cup tournaments.) Often great players are able to perform at their best, when they need to silence the critics... Let's hope that McCarthy is such a player.

And finally, I have noticed in recent weeks that more and more people are starting to get behind our team, and I want to encourage each and every one of you to get people around to join in with the fanfare!!! Without any fans, we can't expect the team to do good, so go to the shops, get a Vuvuzela, get a Makarapa, and get behind our team!!!

Woza Bafana Woza!!!