Rebuilding a tattered reputation to its former glory is an arduous task often requiring the redoubling of efforts to achieve the same success.

Rebuilding a tattered reputation to its former glory is an arduous task often requiring the redoubling of efforts to achieve the same success.

But the process to regain lost glory can be an exacting exercise bound to test one's staying power and will to succeed.

These are the elements that will sorely test the South African Football Association's commitment to change the fortunes of Bafana Bafana in the coming months.

First there is the great challenge to hone a team to make unforgettable forays during the 2010 Fifa World Cup finals. It's a challenge underscored by a Fifa expectation that national teams of the host country churn out something of a spectacular performance during the tournament to shore up local interest in the finals.

Similarly Bafana are saddled with an equal or greater challenge to stage a successful campaign in the African Cup of Nations in Ghana in February next year.

Anything less will most certainly be adjudged as an uncomplimentary indicatorof their possible fortunes in their most formidable assignment in 2010.

Small wonder then that Safa boss Molefi Oliphant has issued a directive - disguised as polite suggestion - to Bafana to reclaim the Afcon title.

The sting in the tail of the allusion for Bafana Incorporated is unmistakable.