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As a national team coach, one must have the balls to make unpopular decisions and stick to them.
Once convinced that the squad you have picked is the best, you must get down to work and prepare for the next game. After all, you can’t please all the people all the time.
This is my advice to Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki following the criticism he was subjected to after his announcement of the squad that was to play Sao Tome and Principe at the end of the month in back-to-back matches. Both games have since been cancelled.
As is always the case, the announcement of the Bafana squad was met with mixed reactions. But this is hardly surprising as football is a game of opinions, and fans think they are experts at coaching the national team.
Coaches have often been criticised for the omissions they make when selecting their teams. Ntseki, however, found himself in an uncomfortable position because he was being criticised for who he included and for not sending an SOS to others.
Orlando Pirates’ “Happy People” were unhappy and led the chorus of questioning Itumeleng Khune’s inclusion in the team while their keeper, Wayne Sandilands, did not get the nod.
They also wanted almost their entire team – including Ben Motshwari, Vincent Pule and Luvuyo Memela – to be on Ntseki’s list of players. Sundowns fans wanted to see Sibusiso Vilakazi in the squad.
Neutrals were asking why AmaZulu striker Bongi Ntuli, who has banged in 12 goals so far this season, and Rushine de Reuck of Maritzburg United were not included.
Others were happy with the composition of the squad and felt that it was well balanced.
Then there was the issue of France-based Bongani Zungu’s omission, which also raised eyebrows. Even Zungu himself was “disappointed, shocked and sad” to find out that he had been left out.
Obviously, every player would be disappointed after not getting called up to represent their country. But remember, it is not a birthright to be called up.
What I found rather disturbing was that Zungu implied that he should have been informed about the decision before he read about it on social media.
“Obviously, I’m shocked and really sad that I’m not in the latest Bafana squad. I want to play for my country and help them reach the African Cup of Nations. While it is obviously up to the coach to decide who is in and who isn’t, I would really have appreciated a call or a message to explain why,” Zungu tweeted.
So Zungu is saying the coach must call all the players he doesn’t call up to explain his decision? This can’t be the case.
Imagine if Ntseki were to call every player before each and every camp. How many players would he have to call and explain himself to?
I’d understand if Zungu was the captain of Bafana – then he would be right to expect the courtesy of being informed about the decision to drop him. Maybe he thinks he is so special he deserves a special call. Or perhaps he is sensitive and must be handled with care.
However, I must confess I found Ntseki’s reasoning for his omission very shallow.
“Bongani Zungu has been in and out [of the squad] because of injuries. So we felt that, maybe for this Fifa week, let’s give him time to spend at his club, so hopefully by the end of the season he will be fit and ready to be considered for Bafana Bafana.”
I agree with him wholeheartedly in this.
But then he completely went off track: “The other situation we are finding with Bongani is that his team is actually struggling to get maximum points.”
I think Ntseki opened himself up for criticism there, and this decision might come back to haunt him. Will he do the same for other players in the same position?
Knowing South African teams, they might in future plead with him not to consider their players when faced with tough fixtures. Players might even be tempted to pick and choose the Bafana matches they should be called up for.
Molefi, my bra, you don’t always have to justify your decisions. As the coach, you choose the players you need to win matches. If you a need a player who hasn’t scored for their club, but you believe they can do better in the national team, let it be – as long as you win matches.
Whether people like them or not, it’s none of your business. After all, you can’t please all 59 million South Africans all of the time.
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