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Sporting Action - Bafana Bafana Are Back!
Broos and The Boys are Camped in The 18 Area
The boys are back. Hugo Broos’ charges have the people believing again. It’s a resurgence which has taken many back to what are seen as the glory days of South African football. The days of Lucas Radebe, Doctor Khumalo and the late John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu. The days when Neil Tovey lifted the African Cup of Nations trophy at the FNB Stadium in 1996 after Mark Wiliams’ two goals sunk Tunisia’s hopes of being crowned champions of Africa.
In the years that followed Bafana remained strong contenders, finishing second in 1998 and third in 2000, followed by a respectable showing at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, drawing against Paraguay in their first game, beating Slovenia in the second and losing to Spain in their last game.
More than two decades later it seems the boys are back - inspiring hope and stirring national pride. Led by the humble superstar goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, who earned his 50th appearance for the national side in their 3 - 0 victory over South Sudan in their final African Cup of Nations qualifier, the team has only lost one game in their last 20.
That one game was in the thrilling African Cup of Nations semi-final in February with a penalty shootout sending Nigeria into the final. Head coach Hugo Broos has won over supporters and unleashed talented youngsters like Rushwan Dortley and UK-based Lyle Foster who showed flashes of magic in England’s Premier League last season. They join the likes of ‘the Lion King’ and former Brighton forward Percy Tau and the heroes of the dynasty Mamelodi Sundowns built in the nation’s capital.
Bafana will go into next year’s Afcon as one of the favourites and look to cement this purple patch by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Whatever happens, South Africans have had a peak into the force the national team can become and the likes of Foster and Tau may join their predecessors in the history books.
What's On In December
Proteas Men
First Test vs Sri Lanka: 27 November - 1 December
Second Test vs Sri Lanka: 5 - 9 December
First T20I vs Pakistan: 10 December
Second T20I vs Pakistan: 13 December
Third T20I vs Pakistan: 14 December
FirstODI vs Pakistan: 17 December
Second ODI vs Pakistan: 19 December
Third ODI vs Pakistan: 22 December
First Test vs Pakistan: 26 - 30 December
Proteas Women
3rd ODI vs England: 30 November
First ODI vs England: 4 December
Second ODI vs England: 8 December
Third ODI vs England: 11 December
Test Match vs England: 15 - 19 December
Golf
Nedbank Golf Challenge: 5 - 8 December
Alfred Dunhill Championship: 12 - 16 December
Sources: Supersport
