Now
I’m ready to throw in my two cents worth of analysis about the lackadaisical,
disastrous and disappointing goalless draw performance with newcomers Blue
Sharks (Cape Verde). The country is heartbroken, divided and disappointed by
Bafana Bafana mediocre performance.
Underneath
is my tactical observation of the entire game tactical blunders.
Goalkeeper
Itumeleng Khune was in honey moon.
He was under treat twice but the best moment was when he closed down the angle
for Luis ‘Platini’ Soares who shot badly wide after Siyabonga Sangweni and
Bongani Khumalo were caught napping. He made the great save in the second half
when Thabo Matlaba gave away free header cheaply in an area supposed to be in
control of either Khumalo or Sangweni who drifted apart chasing players than
focusing on ball movement.
Defence
Anele Ngcongca was holed up at
right back for the whole of 45 minutes of the first half without any
significant movement going forward. The right flank was ineffective in the
first half but he came with guns blazing in the second half spending a lot of
time in the half of Cape Verde pushing forward.
Thabo Matlaba had decent first
half despite poor communication with Siphiwe Shabalala but in the second half,
he was awful with his disappointing final touches. Matlaba worked very hard but
his final touches let him down.
The
combination of Sangweni and Khumalo nearly gave away Platini an early Christmas
present after caught napping. The roles and responsibilities of Sangweni and Khumalo
have to be clearly define and well articulated as they all play as liberos
(sweeper) without picking up strikers especial in the box. They hardly
communicate with each other.
This
central defence pair lacks proper organization whilst Khumalo himself lacks
leadership ability. He hardly communicates with the whole team. It’s Khune who
did talking and organising the team whilst Khumalo is forever looking out of
sorts.
Midfield - Engine
Room
Kagisho ‘KG’ Dikgacoi was the weakest link
with the lowest and poor work rate losing possession and balls easily. He
wasn't in the game as he defended too deep. He lacked speed, good ball anticipation,
better transitional movement and good ball distribution.
KG
was the worst performer of the night but Reneilwe ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane did well
doubling up his role by defending for Sangweni and also making attacking moves.
Yeye was over-worked due to KG laziness in the engine room. KG should just call
it a day, he is not Bafana material.
Wing Player
Siphiwe ‘Shabba’
Shabalala
was the second worst player in the pitch without any significant impact in the
game. He spent a lot of time trying to cut inside instead of playing at the
wing. He had serious communication breakdown with Matlaba. The two never
combined well. Shabba performance is currently experiencing is steep downward
plunge in Bafana colours. He is a shadow of former-self.
Thuso Phala had quietest first
half but in the second half, he was a liver-wire adding offensive depth with
his blistering pace but stage fright let him down. He tried his best but it
wasn't good enough. Our own so called Messi, Thulani Serero came in with his tactical ill-discipline tendency of
playing solo game without passing others the ball on time. He runs hard
dribbling players but always gave away balls cheaply.
Serero
has good skills and pace but those skills are not benefiting the team. Lerato Chabangu tried his best too but
was too selfish by either delaying his passes to others. He was forever
searching for Katlego ‘Killer’ Mphela even when we had clear goal scoring
opportunity by Matlaba but he played his ball to a congested defence searching
for ineffective Killer.
Strikers
The
insufficient balls supply reduced Bernard
Parker and Lehlohonolo Majoro
into ball boys. They were never supplied with good balls. Majoro was isolated and frustrated upfront.
Without sufficient ball supply, strikers will never be effective as they spent
time searching for balls than converting chances.
Katlego Mphela came in but was
disappointing as usual. I saw him once when ballooning the free kick and after
that he hibernates throughout the game. The boy is not sharp and fit at the
moment. He is just adding number upfront.
Verdict
Our
players played as if they are playing together for the first time. The stage
fright affected our free flowing football. Our defence never pushed up hard
when the team was searching for goals whilst our midfield was too poor without
good flow of balls going forward.
The
fact is we don't have quality in South Africa. Our players are not good enough
to compete with the best. I blame poor status of soccer development in the
country. I don't foresee our boys winning this cup but we stand a chance to
progress to the second round if Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund rectified
the observed tactical blunder.
In
Bafana Bafana, I still believe!
By Owen Mundalamo
