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The partnership between the SA Football Association (Safa) and Stadium Management SA (SMSA) to jointly promote Bafana Bafana’s two 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers might prove to be just what the doctor ordered.
The organisations have agreed to jointly promote the October 13 game, when the senior men’s team comes up against Seychelles at the FNB Stadium, and the November 17 titanic clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
As managers of some of the country’s flagship sport venues such as the FNB, Dobsonville and Rand stadiums, as well as the steeped-in-black-football-history Orlando Stadium, SMSA has mastered the art of vigorously promoting matches hosted at these arenas.
The mention of almost all of these venues tends to bring a tear to the eye of a long-in-the tooth follower of the game of the pigskin, as well as the mafikizolos.
Veteran followers of the game can rattle off, with their eyes closed, details of the epic battles fought between the trio once known as the Soweto Big Three – Moroka Swallows, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs – at what used to be known as the mecca of South African football. Names of past heroes like Kaizer “Chincha Guluva” Motaung, Jomo “Troublemaker” Sono and the late Andries “Panyaza” Maseko, just to mention three, roll off the tongue without any effort.
There are many more who graced this iconic venue, like Percy “Chippa” Moloi, Alfred “Russia” Jacobs and John “Special” Makhubu.
It was so central to South African football that the late Elijah “Thetha” Masombuka of Ukhozi FM (previously known as Radio Zulu) gave it the moniker “Isigodi Sikamaminzela”, which was later used by his successor, Koos “Bhungane Lendlela” Radebe.
The nickname meant that visiting clubs such as Pimville United Brothers, AmaZulu, Pretoria Bantu Callies, Witbank Black Aces, Dalton Brothers, Mangaung United, Real Katlehong City and Kimberley United Brothers was bound to leave the venue empty-handed most of the time
Ah! Nothing like nostalgia. I am digressing and already have a tear rolling down my cheek.
So how can the Safa/SMSA partnership be a catalyst for Bafana?
Combining SMSA’s PR nous and Safa’s innovation – if they can pull it off – could send out a message that says these two matches could spell the rebirth of Bafana.
The FNB Stadium has some very sweet memories for Bafana Bafana.
It was at this venue that Mark Williams’ two goals against Tunisia on February 3 1996 clinched the Unity trophy for South Africa.
It was at this venue that Philemon “Chippa” Masinga sent the entire country into delirium with his goal against the then Congo that took South Africa to their first World Cup held in France in 1998.
And, later, Siphiwe “Shabba” Tshabalala brought unbridled joy to the nation by scoring the first goal of the 2010 World Cup against Mexico at the same FNB Stadium.
So, if marketed well, the two matches could see the venue that has almost become South Africa’s national stadium get packed to capacity, especially for the Nigeria match.
However, this would be highly dependent on a few factors.
One: Bafana Bafana would have to win convincingly against Seychelles in their back-to-back matches.
Two: Stuart Baxter will have to drive into the players’ heads the message from Bill Shankly that football is much, much more than a matter of life and death.
Should Bafana Bafana not only play with flair and verve, but win these two matches convincingly, I might be prepared to bet my last rand – no matter how little it’s worth these days – that the stadium will be packed for the match against Nigeria.
Safa, SMSA, Baxter and his players – who actually belong to us as a nation – must roll up their sleeves, pull up their socks and get their hands dirty to restore Bafana Bafana’s value.
Do this, and the nation will once more sing in unison “The Good Days Are Back”. I hope this is not just the eternal optimist in me talking. Please, don’t disappoint me.
. smseleku@citypress.co.za
. Follow me on Twitter @Sbu_Mseleku
