It gives one a sense of pride when colleagues and friends share your passion for the game.
This was the case when a friend of mine Mosibodi Whitehead, a Kaya FM sports presenter, posted a Facebook update about Shaun Bartlett’s presence in the latest Bafana Bafana camp.
His Bartlett story places us at Soccer City with his friends after writing matric finals to see Bafana go up against a George Weah-led Liberia in an Afcon 2002 qualifier.
Bartlett and Phil Masinga were on target as, according to him, “Bafana delivered a professional if not superb performance” to secure a 2-1 victory.
So here was a guy who had done it all in a Bafana shirt. Bartlett is also the only South African player to ever score a brace in a World Cup match - in a 2-2 draw Saudi Arabia at France 1998.
BAFANA IDOL: Benni McCarthy. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
And who can ever forget that finish against Ghana at the 1996 Afcon? Oh, and did I mention he scored a brace against Manchester United and even won the BBC Goal of the Season award in 2001 in the colours of Charlton Athletic?
Well, I just did.
I responded to the Facebook status by raising the concern that I didn’t believe the players were aware of the opportunity that was presented to them by having Bartlett in camp ahead of their matches against Seychelles.
I didn’t believe most of them knew much about the former Cape Town Spurs striker’s journey and his achievements.
That’s the depth of the disconnect within South African football currently.
Mosibodi’s status was so passionate you could feel the energy and could only imagine how special the outing was.
I have yet to hear players speak or share their football memories and ambitions with such passion.
Unfortunately, what we often see during interviews are players who want to sound professional and say the right things.
Up to now, only Bernard Parker has come out to declare Benni McCarthy as his favourite player and even wore his No.17 jersey when in Bafana colours.
BENNI FAN: Bernard Parker. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
Why haven’t many other top players come out to declare other former Bafana stars as people they want to emulate?
This is why I believe we need to consider some traditions that will connect the different generations of the South African football game.
Imagine, an initiation ritual-like moment for someone like Percy Tau for instance.
CHOSEN ONE: SA's Percy Tau. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
With SA football greats from the different generations Jomo Sono, Doctor Khumalo and perhaps Teko Modise, blessing Tau to lead South Africa to the 2022 World Cup.
Now that would be something special, wouldn’t it?