BAFANA Bafana won in style against Sudan in Khartoum last Friday night, and the win understandably sent the country into wild celebrations.
Finally our boys brought back the smiles after a long time of suffering.
The previous Bafana traumatised us so much that some of us decided to stay away from their matches.
But it looks like we will be a happy lot with the current crop of players in the national team.
We need to give these players a chance to make headway.
They have the potential.
After Friday's awe-inspiring display and comprehensive win, my sobriety cannot be questioned if I predict a bright future for this SA team, though it may still be too early to get over-excited. But I'm tempted to be overzealous.
The return of Shakes Mashaba to the hot seat is not only overdue, but has brought a breath of fresh air into the Bafana ranks.
His ability to lead Bafana again was questioned by his critics, but he made them eat humble pie on Friday.
I must say that I found it strange that the coach was criticised long before sitting in the dugout.
Mashaba needs to be given time and our undivided support to shake up Bafana.
I'm not saying we should shut up when the coach runs out of ideas. We will criticise but constructively to help bring stability in the squad, and Mashaba should listen and take notes.
Tonight, he and his young troops face a Herculean task in Cape Town as they take on their nemesis Nigeria and again they will need our unequivocal support.
Capetonians should prove to the continent our passion for the beautiful game and come in throngs to the stadium to give our boys an extra spur.
Bafana need to be brutal all-round and treat the Super Eagles like any other opponents. Don't be threatened by past results against them.
Our boys should also forget about Friday's results to avoid being complacent.
The African champions will be out to save face following a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Congo in Calabar, southeastern Nigeria, on Saturday.
Mashaba and the boys are approaching tonight's qualifier in the right frame of mind, and this is encouraging.
They are not reading too much into Nigeria's setback at home, as much as they should not be carried away by their demolition of Sudan.
And most importantly, Bafana are not overplaying their chances against the Super Eagles.
"It is going to be more difficult now ... Nigeria want to prove a point, and their trip here means they will be picking a strong squad against us," said captain Senzo Meyiwa in the build-up to tonight's clash.
He added: "Maybe we need a similar approach - to be compact at the back, keep our shape and the discipline."
What also encourages us is the sheer optimism in the dressing room and from the technical team.
"We are meeting our nemesis, but my gut feel is that all that is about to change," Mashaba said.
"Wednesday [tonight] should be a defining moment for us."
We believe in you, and go out there and, again, make us proud.
Good luck!
It's time for Bafana to conquer
BAFANA Bafana won in style against Sudan in Khartoum last Friday night, and the win understandably sent the country into wild celebrations.
Finally our boys brought back the smiles after a long time of suffering.
The previous Bafana traumatised us so much that some of us decided to stay away from their matches.
But it looks like we will be a happy lot with the current crop of players in the national team.
We need to give these players a chance to make headway.
They have the potential.
After Friday's awe-inspiring display and comprehensive win, my sobriety cannot be questioned if I predict a bright future for this SA team, though it may still be too early to get over-excited. But I'm tempted to be overzealous.
The return of Shakes Mashaba to the hot seat is not only overdue, but has brought a breath of fresh air into the Bafana ranks.
His ability to lead Bafana again was questioned by his critics, but he made them eat humble pie on Friday.
I must say that I found it strange that the coach was criticised long before sitting in the dugout.
Mashaba needs to be given time and our undivided support to shake up Bafana.
I'm not saying we should shut up when the coach runs out of ideas. We will criticise but constructively to help bring stability in the squad, and Mashaba should listen and take notes.
Tonight, he and his young troops face a Herculean task in Cape Town as they take on their nemesis Nigeria and again they will need our unequivocal support.
Capetonians should prove to the continent our passion for the beautiful game and come in throngs to the stadium to give our boys an extra spur.
Bafana need to be brutal all-round and treat the Super Eagles like any other opponents. Don't be threatened by past results against them.
Our boys should also forget about Friday's results to avoid being complacent.
The African champions will be out to save face following a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Congo in Calabar, southeastern Nigeria, on Saturday.
Mashaba and the boys are approaching tonight's qualifier in the right frame of mind, and this is encouraging.
They are not reading too much into Nigeria's setback at home, as much as they should not be carried away by their demolition of Sudan.
And most importantly, Bafana are not overplaying their chances against the Super Eagles.
"It is going to be more difficult now ... Nigeria want to prove a point, and their trip here means they will be picking a strong squad against us," said captain Senzo Meyiwa in the build-up to tonight's clash.
He added: "Maybe we need a similar approach - to be compact at the back, keep our shape and the discipline."
What also encourages us is the sheer optimism in the dressing room and from the technical team.
"We are meeting our nemesis, but my gut feel is that all that is about to change," Mashaba said.
"Wednesday [tonight] should be a defining moment for us."
We believe in you, and go out there and, again, make us proud.
Good luck!
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos