Editor's Blog - Clint Roper

For those of you spending time in the Supporters Club on the Soccer Laduma website, chatting to the Soccer Laduma editors on a daily basis… my apologies, as I'm going to repeat myself. The reason for this is that I know many of you who read the paper have not yet found your way to the "Promised Land" of Soccer Laduma's digital platforms. I also feel that one can't write enough about Shakes and the magic he is working with Bafana Bafana.    The walk from my parking spot in our car park to the office is about a three-minute journey. Along the way I usually come across the guys that keep the parking lot clean and tidy. Then there is the actual security that sits at the booms. There are usually a couple of workers from the furniture business that we share a building with milling around as well as the gaggle of 'smokeraholics' getting their morning fix the mandatory 20 meters from the front entrance, who make me hold my breath until I get inside. On entering the building, there are usually a number of other security personnel. So basically, on most mornings, there are a lot of people I meet and greet along the way and, besides helping the one car guard with his Soccer 6 betting tips, there is usually not a lot of soccer conversation that takes place.  (For those of you thinking it might be a good idea to tweet me or email me for my betting tips, don't do it. I'm horrible at it.) The point I'm making is that besides the odd conversation about Manchester United or Liverpool, or maybe Ronaldo or Messi, there is usually very little to talk about concerning South African soccer out on the street.    This Monday things were different. In that three-minute walk to my office, I must have walked past at least four huddles of people, and in each huddled conversation… the buzz… was Bafana! Guys were arguing as to whether Thabo Mngomeni's bicycle kick was better than Bongani Ndulula's. Rivaldo Coetzee's name was being bandied about with the same ease and familiarity as Messi and Ronaldo. In fact it would have been easy to think they were talking about the Brazilian legend Rivaldo based on the superlatives being attributed to the name. There was talk about why Shakes is going to be the best coach ever for Bafana and how local is "lekker like a cracker". It was clear that this Monday morning Bafana Bafana was trending not only on Twitter or on the myriad of other social networks that are doing their best to do away with the face-to-face conversation. Bafana was trending on the lips of everyday South Africans… trending in the hearts of a nation! #Bafana #Shakes #Ndulula #Furman #Rivaldo - hashtag, hashtag, hashtag.    I'm so tired of hearing morning talk about the Springboks or the Proteas. Yeah, cricket and rugby are big sports, but in comparison to what soccer means to the majority of this country, they might as well be badminton or bowls. If you really want to see the power of sport to bring a nation together, you just watch if Bafana becomes a world force. That's when you'll see this country realise it's potential as a soccer nation.    I'm not sure if history will confirm it, but the feeling among South Africans will make a strong case for the fact that this could well be the best start ever by a new South African coach. It has taken Shakes just three games to lift the doom and gloom that was hanging over South African soccer. It's taken three games for Shakes to show South African soccer we have a future based on the young talent on which he is willing to risk his reputation. It's taken three games to make South Africans believe in the national team jersey of Bafana Bafana again. Not a goal conceded, five goals scored, not a match lost… there is hope!    There is hope where there was once just negativity and finger pointing. 'The cheap option'; 'They didn't get their man'; 'He is just a place holder until a big name becomes available'; 'He is only good with youth' - this was for the most part the wave of sentiment Shakes Mashaba rode in on leading up to assuming the hot seat. How quickly things have changed. Shakes now rides on a tsunami of belief and the pride of a nation.     Shakes, you have been unbelievable! You have shown all South Africans that one man with passion, a vision and the strength to follow through and to not buckle under pressure… to do it your way… is worth way more to South African soccer than all the millions SAFA has thrown at the pretenders from all corners of the globe that have come before you. Keep walking tall and strong on this journey you are taking us. Clearly you have the map to 2022.   All the best for tonight (Wednesday). South Africa is ready to erupt for Bafana Bafana!   At the same time, we also send our best wishes to Vera Pauw  Janine Van Wyk and our Banyana who are doing battle against Ghana tonight. Our thoughts and best wishes are with you - let's make this a double celebration to remember!    Shapa Clint   Click Here To Watch The Editors Column