The Springboks’ victory parades on social media over the past few days got me in my feels, my bra.
Because I view everything, and I mean alles, with diski goggles, it left me wondering if Bafana Bafana players felt some type of way about it as well.
In one of his first press conferences as Bafana head coach, Molefe Ntseki already put it out in the universe that he wants to “win the World Cup.”
He was obviously making light chat of question about the targets set for him in his contract by Safa.
I’m quite sure he knows that in reality, Bafana is further away from being a World Cup contender like the Boks, let alone qualify for the next football showpiece set to be hosted in Qatar.
SETTING GOALS: Molefi Ntseki. Picture: Deryk Foster/BackpagePix.
Legendary NFL coach Mike Smith wrote in his book ' You Win in the Locker Room First:' “What we think matters. Our words are powerful.”
So it isn’t a bad thing for Ntseki to say that he wants to “win the World Cup”, even if some of my friends on Facebook thought it was more hilarious than ambitious.
The Bokke have been the main ouens since landing back in the country from Japan.
They’ve almost brought the whole country to a standstill.
It’s probably the first time mense didn’t need a doctor’s note after missing work on a Monday because the Springboks were in town, baba.
So as the road to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon begins for Bafana this week, why not put the “Vision 2022” light back on and aim high?
You are probably thinking: “ Hayi Sizwe mdlali, mara why? Bafana is only going to disappoint us. Why waste our time and energy with unrealistic dreaming?”
Check here, another quote that will grab your attention from the same book I was talking about earlier says: “To build a winning team, you want to be consistent in your attitude, effort, and actions.”
WINNING FEELING: The Springboks have shown the way forward. Picture: Nic Bothma/EPA.
So basically winning will not just happen for Bafana.
They need to start being positive about the next two years and set some real goals.
They have the ability, but as the Springboks have shown, it takes a collective to achieve what they have achieved.
If I was an active footballer or even sportsperson, I’d want that too.
This Bafana group, including coach Ntseki, knows a thing or two about playing at the highest level of competition in national colours. They’ve been there, whether it was the World Cup with the U17, U20 or Olympics with the U23s.
They’ve had a taste. So surely making it by qualifying and being knocked out after three games can’t be the main mission any longer.
It’s a mindset change for us as fans and supporters as well, we need to adopt this kind of thinking and prepare ourselves for the success that may come, instead of being surprised.
If we go this journey with Bafana as we did with the Boks, maybe we’ll appreciate the experience and whatever the outcome.
Don’t be afraid to raise your point about the imbalances of the squad as well. If you feel the squad needs more laaities vannie Kaap, say it.
That’s how I feel right now, I want to see a bit more diversity in the squad. Diversity is good because it challenges everyone in the group to be more together!