Cameroon legend, Samuel Eto’o is baffled by the consistently poor performances of the South African national team at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Eto’o, the two-time Nations Cup winner with Cameroon and the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, uttered his confusion during a current trip to South Africa.
He intensified the need for football officials to come together and strategize on how to elevate Bafana Bafana to a higher level, making it the best national team in Africa.
Eto’o, the Cameroon FA President assumes that given the strength of the national league, this is a practical goal to achieve.
He enjoyed a triumphant career, playing for reputable European clubs including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Everton. He graced the beautiful game for 22 years.
Samuel Eto'o is one of the select few who have managed to change from playing to becoming the chief administrator of a national football federation.
Speaking about South Africa's inconsistency in the AFCON, Eto'o said; "I am baffled as to why Bafana Bafana have constantly underperformed at the Africa Cup of Nations".
"The South African league (PSL) is well organised and one of the best in Africa so I do not understand why the national team is not that good".
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South Africa made a return to the Nations Cup in 2023 after failing to qualify for the previous edition.
They are in Group E which include Mali, Namibia, and Tunisia. They will play most of their group stage games in northern Ivorian city of Korhogo, one of the tournament’s host cities.
Motives from South African supporters are that Bafana Bafana should aim for at least a draw against Mali or Tunisia and a win against Namibia to advance as one of the top-two finishers or one of the four highest-ranked third-placed teams in the competition.
South Africa’s performances in past editions of the competition have been a major dissatisfaction.
Banana Bafana have consistently struggled on the continent, having failed to qualify for four of the previous seven editions of the AFCON.
The downfall started when Mali defeated South Africa in the quarter-finals of the 2002 edition, which was hosted by the West African country.
The national team has struggled to make an impact since then, with their best performance being two quarter-final appearances, one of which was in 2013 when they hosted the tournament.
Benni McCarthy, the all-time leading scorer for Bafana Bafana, indicated the downfall to a lack of purpose among the players.
He said, "They lack the hunger to join a European club, battle the cold weather, and fight for a place in the starting lineup".
McCarthy, who famously scored four goals in just 13 minutes during a group stage match against Namibia in 1998, is currently working as part of the Manchester United coaching staff.
The African legend believes that compared to former generations, the current group of South African footballers are pleased with earning good salaries, popularity, and staying within the domestic league.
Only two South African players, Lyle Foster of Burnley and Lebo Mothiba of Strasbourg are currently playing in Europe's top five leagues.
Unfortunately, neither of them will be representing South Africa in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Burnley decided that it would be unwise for Foster to leave England as he recovers from mental health challenges, while Mothiba is sidelined due to a knee injury.
What's next?
South Africa are grouped with Mali in their opening game, scheduled for January 16 at the Amadou Gon Couliba, it remains to be seen how far the Bafana Bafana can go in this tournament in Ivory Coast.
Eto’o, the two-time Nations Cup winner with Cameroon and the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, uttered his confusion during a current trip to South Africa.
He intensified the need for football officials to come together and strategize on how to elevate Bafana Bafana to a higher level, making it the best national team in Africa.
Eto’o, the Cameroon FA President assumes that given the strength of the national league, this is a practical goal to achieve.
He enjoyed a triumphant career, playing for reputable European clubs including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea, and Everton. He graced the beautiful game for 22 years.
Samuel Eto'o is one of the select few who have managed to change from playing to becoming the chief administrator of a national football federation.
Speaking about South Africa's inconsistency in the AFCON, Eto'o said; "I am baffled as to why Bafana Bafana have constantly underperformed at the Africa Cup of Nations".
"The South African league (PSL) is well organised and one of the best in Africa so I do not understand why the national team is not that good".
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South Africa made a return to the Nations Cup in 2023 after failing to qualify for the previous edition.
They are in Group E which include Mali, Namibia, and Tunisia. They will play most of their group stage games in northern Ivorian city of Korhogo, one of the tournament’s host cities.
Motives from South African supporters are that Bafana Bafana should aim for at least a draw against Mali or Tunisia and a win against Namibia to advance as one of the top-two finishers or one of the four highest-ranked third-placed teams in the competition.
South Africa’s performances in past editions of the competition have been a major dissatisfaction.
Banana Bafana have consistently struggled on the continent, having failed to qualify for four of the previous seven editions of the AFCON.
The downfall started when Mali defeated South Africa in the quarter-finals of the 2002 edition, which was hosted by the West African country.
The national team has struggled to make an impact since then, with their best performance being two quarter-final appearances, one of which was in 2013 when they hosted the tournament.
Benni McCarthy, the all-time leading scorer for Bafana Bafana, indicated the downfall to a lack of purpose among the players.
He said, "They lack the hunger to join a European club, battle the cold weather, and fight for a place in the starting lineup".
McCarthy, who famously scored four goals in just 13 minutes during a group stage match against Namibia in 1998, is currently working as part of the Manchester United coaching staff.
The African legend believes that compared to former generations, the current group of South African footballers are pleased with earning good salaries, popularity, and staying within the domestic league.
Only two South African players, Lyle Foster of Burnley and Lebo Mothiba of Strasbourg are currently playing in Europe's top five leagues.
Unfortunately, neither of them will be representing South Africa in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Burnley decided that it would be unwise for Foster to leave England as he recovers from mental health challenges, while Mothiba is sidelined due to a knee injury.
What's next?
South Africa are grouped with Mali in their opening game, scheduled for January 16 at the Amadou Gon Couliba, it remains to be seen how far the Bafana Bafana can go in this tournament in Ivory Coast.