Beneath the dazzling footwork and individual brilliance of Bafana Bafana lies a secret weapon: an unbreakable bond that transcends club loyalties and age gaps.
It’s a simmering spirit of camaraderie, a potent brew of chemistry that infuses every training session, every meal, every step they take together.
Forget the dominant Mamelodi Sundowns contingent, declares Mothobi Mvala, Bafana’s rock-solid defender. Off the field, they’re one with the same dream. You see them laughing, walking arm-in-arm, no Sundowns, no Orlando Pirates, just brothers.
This unity, nurtured by coach Hugo Broos, who calls them ‘family’, pulsates through their veins. Broos sees them hug each other before every meal. He sees them form a circle and pray together before every training session and meal. It’s become a tradition.
“The coach is very happy to see a bunch of guys on the bunch who are giving as much effort as those on the pitch. I saw a family, I saw a team….” said Broos after South Africa secured a place in the Round of 16 of the AFCON.
Bafana had started on the wrong footing, losing 2-0 to Mali. They regrouped in the second game, sending a stern message to naysayers as they beat Namibia 4-0. Their goalless draw against Tunisia then sealed their place in the knockout stage. Morocco, a FIFA World Cup semi-finalist in 2022, is their next opponent in San Pedro, southwestern Ivory Coast.
SENIOR BAFANA BAFANA PLAYERS TURN INTO SEASONED SHEPHERDS
Senior players like Themba Zwane have become seasoned shepherds, readily guiding the young bucks like Oswin Appollis, a Bafana rookie. Seasoned captain Ronwen Williams takes rookie Jayden Adams under his wing, patiently guiding him through the ropes with a wealth of shared experiences.
Meanwhile, Terrence Mashego forms an inseparable bond with Thapelo Maseko, the fresh-faced newcomer, their laughter echoing through the training grounds.
Pirates striker Evidence Makgopa notes that the veterans of the team “help the rookies find their footing”. “It’s like having big brothers on the pitch.”
Interestingly, despite vying for the same striker position, Makgopa and Zakhele Lepasa’s on-field bromance shines through whenever one is subbed out for the other. Their infectious smiles and playful ‘bum bumps’ speak volumes about mutual respect and camaraderie that transcends the competitive spirit.
“My relationship with Zakhele, we have that thing … we’re brothers. Since I arrived at the club [Pirates] until now, we have become brothers. Our relationship is a top one. Whenever one is playing, we support each other,” Makgopa told FARPost.
LIGHTENING THE MOOD
Williams reveals that this team doesn’t just celebrate victories; they mend each other’s stumbles. Missed scoring opportunities in a game? It’s met with a chorus of encouragement, not scorn.
“We’ve got Evidence Makgopa, who’s been doing very well. He’s due a goal. The guys have been backing him [Makgopa] and telling him he must keep going because the work he is doing is not going unnoticed, especially from us. We appreciate the work he is doing,” Williams told FARPost.
The Bucs forward is yet to hit the target despite starting all three group matches. In Bafana’s 4-0 win over Namibia, the 23-year-old provided an assist. He pressed and harassed defenders, sometimes becoming a decoy, letting Zwane shine in that game. Mvala adds: “Everyone who is here, we fight for each other…”
Even under pressure, Bafana have found a way to lighten the mood. Veli Mothwa, the second-choice goalkeeper, transforms the team bus into a mobile dance floor with his AmaPiano tunes. The AmaZulu FC goalie is known to carry his Bluetooth speaker everywhere. And when they march into the stadium, Mothobi Mvala and Nkosinathi Sibisi, the self-proclaimed choir leaders, belt out anthems that unite the stands and the players.
This spirit of unity is the bedrock of Bafana’s steady progress. A place in the Round of 16 stands as a testament to their unwavering belief in each other. “We’re a band of brothers,” concludes one Bafana star, “working towards the same dream, fuelled by the fire of our bond. That’s what makes us Bafana Bafana.”
TRYING TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL
As they take on the Atlas Lions of Morocco, Tau describes the group as “an ambitious” team. They will throw everything at the North Africans “to try and do something special”.
Rest assured, Bafana will “fight on the pitch.. and help each other” make something special out of this AFCON edition for the Rainbow Nation.
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