Editor's Column - Clint Roper

Last weekend we saw what Orlando Pirates looked like without Senzo Meyiwa – a team devastated by the loss of a friend, a leader and a brother, as the bond forged in the cauldron of professional sport is one that brings men together as brothers.   Now I don't know what is said in a dressing room in the first game after losing someone so close. I have not seen any speeches from VV since the passing of Senzo, so I'm not sure if he took the lead in the dressing room, but I would imagine that the players would have tried their best to pull together and play their hearts out for their fallen comrade.  And despite the loss, I have no doubt that Senzo was looking down, massive smile on his face, saying thank you for their efforts.   However, this weekend, another team has to do it all over again. Bafana Bafana will go into camp with one bed in camp empty, with one spot at the breakfast table empty, with one seat on the bus empty and with one spot in the dressing room empty. And try as everyone in that camp may to fill that gap, there is no amount of counselling, speech-making or singing that will do that. But the one thing our lads going into battle can be sure of is that we will fill that stadium, and if there is an empty seat on view, look a little harder and there you will see Senzo. When the national anthem is sung, listen carefully – you will hear him in the power of song. Where the fans are dancing, look closer – there you will see him leading them. When the wave makes its way around the stadium, watch – you will see Senzo surfing it. Yes, Senzo may not be in goal come Saturday, but you can be sure he will be in the hearts of each and every South African soccer supporter in this country. And though he may not be leading you out there on the day, through all of us, you can be sure he will be lifting you.   It's seems almost unfair that while the wounds are still raw from losing our beloved Tommy Madigage, the Bafana team now has to deal with yet another massive loss in Senzo Meyiwa. Having watched many of the qualifiers so far, I've noticed that hardly any names are ever on the backs of the jerseys of African national teams. So while it may be breaking protocol, it would be a powerful gesture if CAF and FIFA allowed each and every one of our Bafana lads to do more than just wear a strip of black insulation tape around their arms on Saturday.  I hope they allow each player to walk out with 'Meyiwa' on their back. It will be a chance for us to hold him up and for us to say thank you for all the times you carried us, and say, "Today we carry you… we hold you up high!"    To whoever plays in goal come this weekend, our thoughts are with you. Don't try and replace Senzo, just be yourself and be the best you can be. It's a terrible situation to come into and I hope the team, the management and the fans rally around you in the build-up and on the day. To whoever gets handed the captain's armband, lead in your own unique way. Don't try and replace Senzo, just be yourself. That's what made Senzo unique. That's why South Africa has reacted with such passion. Your job is not to make us forget that our captain is missing. Your job is to honour his memory by being the best captain you can be.    For those of you that are not able to go to the stadium, please make sure you follow two members of the Soccer Laduma family who will be there. @YesWeCrann (Joe Crann) will be there covering the event in an official capacity and @VuyaniJoni (Vuyani Joni) will be there with some of our Soccer Laduma Supporters Club members in the stands. Both will be tweeting in the lead-up to, and during, the game.   To Shakes and your technical team, we're all behind you. Do the best you can and we're all here for you!   Sisonke kulendaba...     Shapa Clint

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