South Africa produced a spirited performance in the 2010 World Cup as the host nation, narrowly missing out on a place in the knockout stage of the tournament. Hosting the World Cup was supposed to be a landmark event for the Rainbow Nation, cultivating the next generation of talent that could lead the team into future tournaments without the automatic berth. However, it has not come to fruition as of yet and South Africa’s performances on the continent have nosedived.
Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after finishing third in Group C behind Ghana and Sudan. Finishing behind Ghana and their talent was anticipated, but Molefi Ntseki’s men were to rue a 2-0 defeat to Sudan in their final group game when a draw would have allowed them to qualify. Percy Tau was their shining light during qualifying, scoring four goals, but even his performances were enough for the Rainbow Nation.
South Africa are now under pressure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in their bid to revive their fortunes as a footballing nation. The lack of talent emerging through the ranks is a concern as South Africa last lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1996, with a burgeoning group of players that carried them forward for 14 years. Lucas Radebe was a rock in the middle of the backline, and displayed his talents for Leeds in the Premier League. Aaron Mokoena was a stalwart of the team for 11 years, earning 107 appearances, to become the most capped South African player. Benni McCarthy was the star in front of goal, notching 31 strikes in his 80 appearances. Players of the ilk of Bernard Parker and Siphiwe Tshabalala carried the torch forward, but unlike their predecessors, they lacked the talent to secure a move to a major European club.
The only player currently playing in the Premier League from the South African team is Tau, who has barely had minutes on the field for Brighton and Hove Albion. The forward was forced to wait for his chance after being loaned out to Union SG, Club Brugge and Anderlecht following his move from Mamelodi Sundowns in 2018.
At the age of 26, Tau has time on his side to make an impact in the English top-flight, although the Seagulls are still not safe from relegation in the 2020/21 campaign as highlighted in the William hill football betting odds. Tau could develop in time, but he is not a first name on teamsheet as McCarthy and Radebe were at the peak of their powers for Blackburn and Leeds respectively. Mokoena too enjoyed successful spells with Blackburn and Portsmouth, but Tau is flying the flag alone for South African football outside of Keagan Dolly, who is a regular of late for Montpellier in Ligue 1.
However, it’s not overly encouraging for the future of Bafana Bafana that 12 of their 23-man squad for their matches against Ghana and Sudan were aged 30 or over. There’s not a crop of talent emerging to put the older players in the team under pressure for their places in the squad. Unless that changes then South Africa aren’t going to progress with their bid to qualify for the World Cup on merit.