I’m sitting here writing this column on Wednesday morning, due to our print deadline. Bafana Bafana is playing Nigeria in the semi-finals of the Afcon tonight.
I have a broad smile thinking about the way our team has put smiles on the faces of our people with their performances. This is exactly what we anticipated, at least some of us, and they’ve not disappointed.
I knew Cape Verde would be the toughest opponent, looking at their performance throughout the group stage, but what a sterling performance by the boys! Credit to our skipper, Ronwen Williams, who surpassed my expectations in the penalty shootout by saving four out of five spot-kicks.
This was history-making as no one has ever achieved that at Afcon or even World Cup stage. Yes, we play as a team, but individuals make a difference.
There are so many unsung heroes in our squad, the likes of Mothobi Mvala, Evidence Makgopa, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Maseko, Sphephelo Sithole, just to mention a few, and even guys sitting on the bench because they all play an equally important role in the team’s success. I just hope the boys will book their place in the final for Maseko, who suffered an injury.