South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa believes the success of the Springboks can rub off the struggling football national team, Bafana Bafana.
The Springbok are on top of the world after they defeated New Zealand 12-11 in a heart-stopping Rugby World Cup final last Saturday to defend the title they won in Japan in 2019.
Kodwa was speaking at the Union Buildings in Tshwane where SA President and his cabinet ministers officially welcomed the team.
In a couple of weeks, Bafana will resume their 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda. Bafana last qualified properly for a World Cup in 2002 and have struggled to book a place in the world’s biggest sports competition for many years.
They failed to qualify for the 2021 Afcon and the 2022 Fifa World Cup. So, they are under pressure to prove they are not a “bunch of losers”.
“I think Bafana will come right, I made that remark when I was in Paris. What I have noticed with Springbok players, after having spent a lot of time with them, it goes beyond what the coaches can do. Coaches can do so much, but a lot must come from the players. Like discipline, commitment, dedication, loyalty and knowing that you’re playing for the country,” said Kodwa.
“If that kind of attitude can be transferred and transmitted to Bafana, they will be okay. I will be in Ivory Coast in January to support Bafana and I am confident they will come right.”
Rassie Erasmus influence
About Rassie Erasmus coaching or helping Bafana, Kodwa said: “Rassie is the greatest. His achievements are unmatched, the issue with Rassie is not about rugby. Rassie can [handle] any sporting code. It is all a mindset and it’s a culture and I think he can do many things. He can do cricket, he can do netball. What he has done to these boys (Boks team) was about mindset.”
Bafana will be in Ivory Coast to take part in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Though it’s a 2023 tournament, the Confederation of African Football decided to stage it from January 13 to February 11 2024.
Despite qualifying for the biggest football showpiece on the continent, Bafana Bafana had been unimpressive in their matches in recent years. The supporters have expressed their disappointment by boycotting the football national team’s matches.
