Cup Of Nations To Inspire S’Africa

South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula is hoping that hosting next year’s Africa Cup of Nations will help the national team become a force.

The South African national team – now ranked a lowly 71 by FIFA – has failed to qualify for the last two editions of the Cup of Nations finals, but is guaranteed of its place next year by virtue of being hosts.

And MBalula hopes the opportunity to take part in Africa’s showpiece tournament will help South Africa return to their former glories.

“It should be a moment of pride and celebration for our people to be hosting the Afcon,” he said.

“The South African government and the people have an equal responsibility to support and stand by this particular competition.

“Talk of Bafana Bafana in this tournament should be about re-igniting our national team to realise itself and to fight for the pride of the nation and patriotism going into the Afcon.

“We only can count not up to five international players in our team but this is the centre stage for this generation to make names for themselves. This tournament is big enough to make them great players like Lucas Radebe.

“This is the centre stage for our players to make a name for themselves and become greater players. This tournament has unravelled some players that have gone on to make it big in the game.”