Bafana Bafana are just one point away from Afcon, so why all the fuss and nerves?
They can still make it to Cameroon by just drawing with Libya in March.
Well, it’s obviously not going to be that simple, especially knowing how things go in South African football.
Who will ever forget Pitso Mosimane and his manne celebrating a goalless draw with Sierra Leone as confusion reigned over how to qualify?
Hopefully, it won’t come to that this time around.
They just have to get their travel plans right, because who knows where Libya will host this game.
Anyway, the big fuss about this qualifying campaign is that Stuart Baxter and his team should have been top of Group E with their credentials for the tournament signed, sealed and delivered.
FRUSTRATED: Shaun Bartlett and Stuart Baxter Photo: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
The goalless draw in the Seychelles was pretty much one of the the most gutless and clueless Bafana performance under Baxter.
How South Africa could go from beating the part-timers a national record 6-0 to completely failing to score a goal in the space of four days is inexplicable.
Well almost inexplicable. Watching Bafana against Paraguay on Tuesday night, you could see it.
SA had long spells of possession and many attacking opportunities.
But other than Percy Tau, Bafana lacked the killer instinct to take advantage.
BAFANA'S SAVIOUR: Talented Percy Tau, right. Photo:SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
They fired 12 shots at goal and only four of those forced the goalkeeper to make a save.
Most of those shots were taken by Orlando Pirates winger Vincent Pule, who I will use an example of what is wrong with SA’s attack.
Pule has talent and pace and even imagination.
Maar hy moet homself verbeel nice. Of his long-range efforts, only the first of the night gave the goalkeeper something to worry about as it shaved by his left post.
When it came to really taking his chance - the 36th minute, with a chance to make 1-1 - he fluffed it after being beautifully played in behind the defence by Teboho Mokoena.
Pule also went for goal twice from freekicks, but they were closer to landing on Durban’s beach than in the back of the net.
But where Pule really stunk out the place was his inability to find his teammates.
With Percy Tau and Lebo Mothiba giving him options, the Bucs star always took the wrong one - which in most cases was going it alone.
AVAILABLE: South Africa striker Lebo Mothiba. Photo: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
That’s where SA’s attacks break down. Not really because one player is trying to be the glory not, but because of his decision-making.
He was on the ball for too long, taking too many touches and failing to make his team play.
Watching Bafana play with that sort of indecision and blunted edge is going to be a huge problem to our progress.
We have got to be reminded that when the coach means we must play with bravery, we have chances with clarity.