It's great that Bafana Bafana have given us reason to smile again, but it's important that this is not just a phase that lasts for a month.
As a Bafana Bafana supporter, there have been many disappointing days and, when they went into the Africa Cup of Nations, I did not believe they would go as far as the semi-finals. Do you blame me? I've been around long enough to know that my expectations should be managed when it comes to Bafana Bafana.
But, they have certainly proved me wrong. I am happy to be proven wrong. It's been a joy to watch the national team during this AFCON tournament, playing without any fear. They seem to believe in themselves more than they ever have and it's encouraging to the players pushing through some of the difficult moments and overcoming them. That's the spirit we need when we are facing the continent's big boys.
My only concern is our association, SAFA. How do they ensure that this good run is not just a once off? There is progress in the national team and everyone involved with the team, particularly at the top, need to make sure that we do not go backwards. That's the last thing we need right now.
Whether or not Bafana Bafana win the competition, there is something to build on and SAFA should take advantage of this and not waste it. It would be such a shame to see the national team going backwards after all the efforts they have made to restore a lot of the pride they lost on the continent over the years.
There has to be proper planning going forward. We've previously made the mistake of not properly planning for the future during some promising times and it came back to bite us big time. So, there is no better time to start planning for a better tomorrow than now, even if the team does not win the competition.
The last thing we want to hear is that we are rebuilding. The foundation has been laid and now it's time to move forward in the right direction.
My message to SAFA is a simple and clear one: DON'T MESS THIS ONE UP! This is not the time for SAFA to bask in the glory of Bafana's success. It's time for them to sit down as leaders of South African football and make sure that the senior national team becomes a beast that conquers the continent and is respected across the world.
Looking at how well Bafana have performed in the competition, they have the potential to be ranked in the top five of African football. We can no longer go back to being a laughing stock on the continent. That would not make sense at all after such a brilliant showing in the Ivory Coast.
