SIHLANGU’S DATE WITH DESTINY

My dearest readers ...

When the country’s most decorated footballer, Tony Thulani Tsabedze, scored in the 38th minute in the shattering 5-1 loss to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana semi final defeat at Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia on 22 June 2016, it was a bittersweet moment. I remember vividly like it happened yesterday how it felt like a stab in the heart even to an experienced hack like Yours Truly, having to file my match report following such a mind-numbing defeat at a time when the whole nation back home licked their lips in anticipation of a maiden cup final appearance in the sub-continental showpiece. It was torturous. The difference between a semi-final berth and a cup final where there is chance of lifting the trophy is quite cavernous. Sihlangu had done well in navigating its way from the opening 2-all draw with Zimbabwe’s Brave Warriors, where Felix Badenhorst’s brace in the 16th and 65th minute had set the team on course on June 11, 2016. A follow up 4-0 win over listless Seychelles where again Badenhorst netted a brace in the 14th and 34th minute with Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu and Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko scoring in the 68th and 90th minute, brought so much confidence to the Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga-coached side.

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Again Badenhorst, the current all-time leading top goalscorer in the COSAFA Cup, had scored in a 1-0 win over Madagascar with a fine volley in the 71st minute to send Sihlangu to a quarter-final clash against Zambia whom we defeated 4-2 on penalties to reach the semi-finals for the third time since the tournament began in 1997. We won a bronze medal after beating guest nation, DR Congo 1-0 in the third playoff final. Previously we had only reached the semi-finals twice, first, losing on penalties to Namibia’s Desert Warriors on August 28, 1999 and then secondly, losing 2-0 to Zimbabwe’s Brave Warriors on August 31, 2003. That defeat in tranquil Windhoek will be etched in my memory for eternity. I remember I had to spend the night trying to replace my bloodstream with the finest Scottish waters in easing my heartbreak.

As Dominic Kunene and his brave battalions stand on another cusp of a semi-final appearance, the fourth in history, I cannot over-emphasise how important it is for them to be focused and not be overawed by the occasion in particular in tomorrow’s decisive clash against the ‘Zebras’ of Botswana. It’s a do or die battle. It’s a make or break. While today’s matches pitting South Africa against Lesotho and Zambia against Botswana will obviously have an effect on the importance of Sihlangu’s clash against the ‘Zebras’, ours is to focus on the task at hand. All Kunene and his boys need to do is to beat Botswana irrespective of how the rest of the fixtures pen out. Even then, it might not be enough as goal difference and head-to-head might come into play.

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