We thought it was a little asleep, this South Africa which reigned over the continent at the turn of this century. After its CAN won at home in 1996, followed by two participations in a row at the World Cup (1998 and 2002), the rainbow nation slowly lost its splendor: second in the 1988 CAN, third in 2000, quarter of finalist in 2002.
Bafana Bafana were not even part of the last edition of the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon. They therefore arrived this year in Ivory Coast without being particularly expected. And away from the spotlight, they made their way to the quarter-finals, where they face Cape Verde, Saturday February 3, in Yamoussoukro.
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A defeat, a victory and a draw in the group stage allowed South Africa to quietly exit the 1st round. And against all expectations, it offered itself a clear and flawless victory in the round of 16 against Morocco, the announced favorite of the competition.
Spectators were able to discover the exciting and forward-looking play of this team which, without a real star, relies on a united collective. And for good reason, since there perhaps lies the secret of its success: eight of its starters play together all year round, in the Mamelodi Sundowns club in Pretoria, currently one of the best teams on the continent.
On the field, the selection lines up the entire Mamelodi defense, plus half of its midfield and half of its attack.
A stability maintained by Belgian coach Hugo Broos - already crowned with Cameroon in 2017 -, who hardly moves his basic eleven.
Eight out of eleven
It relies on players who know each other perfectly and who have just won the very first African Football League (the closed League wanted by CAF), after the African Champions League in 2016.
In South Africa, those nicknamed the "Brazilians", because of the resemblance between their colors (green, yellow, blue) and those of the Seleçao, have reigned supreme over the championship for 6 years.
Sundowns picked up goalkeeper Ronwen Williams a year and a half ago from Supersport United, another Pretoria club. He leads a 100% Mamelodi defense in selection: Khuliso Mudau, Grant Gomolemo Kekana, Mothobi Mvala and Aubrey Modiba.
In the middle, Sphephelo Sithole, one of only two to play in Europe, in Tondela, Portugal, shares the recovery with the tireless Teboho Mokoena of Sundowns, author of the sublime direct free kick which finished off the Moroccans.
Not just a freekick, it's an original freekick! 🥅
Teboho Mokoena's shot is obviously your #GoalOfTheDay. 🎯@1xBet_Eng | #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/dxOY7wmmZR
— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 31, 2024
Thapelo Morena, on the right wing, who rarely plays for Mamelodi, starts with the selection. The left side is run by one of the rare expatriates, Percy Tau, African champion with the Egyptian heavyweight Al-Ahly.
In attack, Evidence Magkopa, scorer against Morocco, is the only representative in the starting eleven of the South African club Orlando Pirates.
Themba Zwane is also a “Brazilian”. Considered too old by Hugo Broos, at 34, he owes his presence to his constant good performances and... to media pressure. And his sense of goal still works, as shown by his double against Namibia.
Almighty Motsepe
If the Sundowns club, also called Masandawana - township slang for sunset -, has become so powerful, it is also because it has been at its head since 2014, businessman Patrice Motsepe, also president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 2021.
He brought in big names on the bench, the Frenchman Henri Michel, the Bulgarian Hristo Stoitchkov and the Dutchman Johan Neeskens and built a winning machine, overtaking the two giants of Soweto, the Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs.
At the CAN, the Brazilians of South Africa will be keen to honor their boss, dreaming that he will present them with the continental trophy on February 11.
With AFP
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