In 1994, as a spectator at the African Nations Cup in Tunisia I made the rash
but confident statement that South Africa would win the next tournament,
due to be held in Kenya, in 1996.
Because of circumstances the games were rescheduled in South Africa.
The African Nations Cup had to be seen against the backdrop of what the
South African Football fraternity had strived for because of the archaic
apartheid policies, resulting in our isolation in sport.
Our Football Association made a stand to discourage any rebel tours, such
as those organised by the Rugby and Cricket teams.
We had decided on a policy of the real thing at the right time and with that there were huge pressures on Bafana Bafana when re-entering the world arena.
I was at Ellis Park on that magnificent afternoon when Joel Stransky secured
the winning point, via a drop goal, and Francois Pienaar, with the great
Nelson Mandela at his side, was able to life the Rugby World Cup.
At the same time another one of our favourite sons, Hansie Cronje, was rolling
over the Englishmen in a Test series. With that came the added responsibility
for football to deliver the African Nations Cup to South Africa.
Part of our preparation saw Dave Becker, our physiotherapist and myself, boarding a plane for Cape Town. We were to spend time with Morne du Plessis, the successful Rugby manager, and Dr Tim Noakes to assess our players and help them reach the fitness levels required to make them football champions. Their contribution to our success was immeasurable and having planned through the 1994 and 1995 years the time had come to produce the results. An incredible journey was about to begin! The first game!
When we boarded the bus, on a hot and muggy afternoon at the Sunnyside Hotel, the atmosphere was quiet and eerie. Typically the 'characters' in the team, Sizwe Motuang, Mark Fish, Dr Khumalo and Mark Williams got everybody singing and the spirits lifted.
The famous FNB Stadium came into view! Anthony Yeboah (of Ghana) later remarked that
this stadium, when full, was the most intimidating ground in the world.
That day there was the biggest crowd I had ever witnessed and as we walked
to the dressing room from the bus we could sense the anticipation of the crowd
and the whole of South Africa.
Like our South African Rugby counterparts in their opening game against Australia, a victory was of paramount importance. We had drawn the Indomitable Lions of the North - Cameroon. The first goal was scored by South Africa's Number one striker Phil Masinga but the move of the game came when 'Shoes' Moshoeu played the ball up to Masinga who in turn back heeled the ball into the path of Moshoeu who then rounded the Cameroon goalkeeper and slipped it into the net.
We won 3-0 that day. A great start to a great tournament.
The first African Nations Cup of the new millenium starts this weekend and South Africa's opening game is against Gabon.
The team I think Trott Moloto will start with is:
RADEBE
FISH ISSA
LEKOELEA MKHALELE
TINKLER MNGOMENI
FORTUNE
NDLANYA BARTLETT
SUBS:
I would encourage Fortune to play just behind the front 2 strikers with Mkhalele wide on the left and Lekoelea wide on the right. Tinkler should complement Mngomeni in the central midfield roles. I would also look to substitute either of the front 2 strikers with Nomvete at some time during the game.
The result - a hard game but at the worst a draw, at best a comfortable victory.
The problem area - Up front. How we we will miss Bennie McCarthy and Phil Masinga.
The one player who I feel would also have made a big impact on the tournament, had he been included in the squad, is Joseph Nqake of Orlando Pirates.