IT'S easy to read too much into the results of friendlies.
In fact, it's easy to read too much into results, full stop. Defeat by Norway on Tuesday, coming so soon after similar defeats against Zambia and Poland, was a disappointment for South Africa, of course, but there's little reason for despair.
"The result is a piece of data," the Spanish coach Juanma Lillo, a mentor to Pep Guardiola, once said. "The birth rate goes up. Is that enriching? No. But the process that led to that? Now that's enriching.
"Fulfilment comes from the process. You debate the game not the results. Results are not debatable, they are. Do you buy a paper on a Monday morning and the only thing in it is list after list of results?
"Do you go into a football stadium in the last minute of a game, have a look at the scoreboard and leave? You watch 90 minutes, which is the process."
In friendlies in particular what is important is less the scoreline than the way the game was played. Yes, it's a concern that South Africa seem to have such a problem turning possession into goals but in a sense it's far better at this stage for the long term to have dominated a match and failed to win it than to have won a game by nicking a freakish goal. In tournaments the result is everything but the point of warm-up games is preparation.
Since Gordon Igesund took over, what has begun to emerge is a South Africa who are confident on the ball, something that was notable even against Brazil. As Spain showed at the Euros last year, dominating the ball is the first step to dominating matches. It sounds paradoxical but games are not won by scoring goals; goals are scored by winning games. Play the game in the way you want to play it, dominate in the key areas and battles: win control and the goals should come.
Even if creativity is missing, dominating the ball limits the chances the opponent can create. Given the limited time available to international coaches, generating mutual understanding isn't easy. It takes practice and repetition and, realistically, it's only in tournaments that national teams have the opportunity to work on that.
Hosting a tournament can bring additional pressure but so long as crowds are supportive rather than fretful, it should help stimulate a confidence that will aid the process of finding a sharpness and cutting edge to go with the possession. And home advantage is greater in Afcon finals than any other major international tournament:
Since 1990, 44% of Afcon finals have have been won by hosts. Ivory Coast are the standout favourites for this Afcon tournament but after them the field looks open. Lightning surely can't strike twice for Zambia while none of Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia have looked convincing recently.
Recent results haven't been encouraging, but given their midfield control, it wouldn't take much to ignite South Africa. With a relatively easy draw and home advantage, if they can find just a dash of magic to go with the patience and possession, Bafana have a chance. The process looks good even if results don't.
- Jonathan Wilson is the editor of football quarterly 'The Blizzard' and the author of six books, including 'Inverting the Pyramid: A History of Football Tactics'.
Bafana: Why we shouldn't panic
IT'S easy to read too much into the results of friendlies.
In fact, it's easy to read too much into results, full stop. Defeat by Norway on Tuesday, coming so soon after similar defeats against Zambia and Poland, was a disappointment for South Africa, of course, but there's little reason for despair.
"The result is a piece of data," the Spanish coach Juanma Lillo, a mentor to Pep Guardiola, once said. "The birth rate goes up. Is that enriching? No. But the process that led to that? Now that's enriching.
"Fulfilment comes from the process. You debate the game not the results. Results are not debatable, they are. Do you buy a paper on a Monday morning and the only thing in it is list after list of results?
"Do you go into a football stadium in the last minute of a game, have a look at the scoreboard and leave? You watch 90 minutes, which is the process."
In friendlies in particular what is important is less the scoreline than the way the game was played. Yes, it's a concern that South Africa seem to have such a problem turning possession into goals but in a sense it's far better at this stage for the long term to have dominated a match and failed to win it than to have won a game by nicking a freakish goal. In tournaments the result is everything but the point of warm-up games is preparation.
Since Gordon Igesund took over, what has begun to emerge is a South Africa who are confident on the ball, something that was notable even against Brazil. As Spain showed at the Euros last year, dominating the ball is the first step to dominating matches. It sounds paradoxical but games are not won by scoring goals; goals are scored by winning games. Play the game in the way you want to play it, dominate in the key areas and battles: win control and the goals should come.
Even if creativity is missing, dominating the ball limits the chances the opponent can create. Given the limited time available to international coaches, generating mutual understanding isn't easy. It takes practice and repetition and, realistically, it's only in tournaments that national teams have the opportunity to work on that.
Hosting a tournament can bring additional pressure but so long as crowds are supportive rather than fretful, it should help stimulate a confidence that will aid the process of finding a sharpness and cutting edge to go with the possession. And home advantage is greater in Afcon finals than any other major international tournament:
Since 1990, 44% of Afcon finals have have been won by hosts. Ivory Coast are the standout favourites for this Afcon tournament but after them the field looks open. Lightning surely can't strike twice for Zambia while none of Ghana, Nigeria and Tunisia have looked convincing recently.
Recent results haven't been encouraging, but given their midfield control, it wouldn't take much to ignite South Africa. With a relatively easy draw and home advantage, if they can find just a dash of magic to go with the patience and possession, Bafana have a chance. The process looks good even if results don't.
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