Team 2010 rising

Seems soccer fans are not the only ones who've been grinding their teeth over Bafana Bafana's ability to make a good showing in 2010.

My own soccer-loving family is among many South Africans who have been praying that SAFA will hear our cries and take the drastic measures necessary to give us the best possible team for 2010. In fact a little while ago we were analysing the team's performance at the 2008 AFCON tournament (Ghana) when my hubby threw in his 2 cents, suggesting SAFA should sign up a dedicated core team of the top contenders to train and play together in preparation for 2010. His thinking was that it would help players focus on the 2010 objective, without the distraction of club football pressures. It could also help build a stronger playing unit, he suggested. Someone was listening hun...

Here, here to Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile who, according to news reports, is proposing the 'nationalisation' of our national soccer squad ahead of 2010. Apparently government wants to avoid the embarassment of a bad performance by the national (host) team in the 2010 soccer spectacular. The proposal still needs to be accepted by SAFA (the min-istrators). Don't expect too much enthusiasm from SAFA - they've never been known for their insight into the development needs of our team.

I say government (and my hubby) are onto something? We need to do something different than what we've been doing. At this point, we have nothing to lose.

Give us a team we can be proud of!