Neil Tovey recalls the glorious moments of the 96 Bafana winning Afcon squad
SUN CITY – Former Bafana Bafana captain Neil Tovey still vividly remembers the goings-on in the squad of 1996 that won the Africa Cup of Nations.
Captain fantastic of the Bafana Bafana Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) winning squad of 96, Neil Tovey still vividly recalls the glorious moments of that year as if it happened yesterday.
Speaking at the team’s induction into the Sun International Hall of Fame on 20 August at Sun City, Tovey, popularly known as Mokoko, said he still remembered the many visits of the late former President Nelson Mandela to the team’s hotel room, the numerous phone calls and the messages of support during the tournament.
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Tovey said Madiba had that magic of turning a dull moment into an incredibly auspicious occasion and his magic of perseverance eventually rubbed off on the players, and this spurred them on to achieve greater things.
If it wasn’t for Madiba, whom he described as the ultimate motivator, Tovey said maybe they would not have gone all the way to win the cup. He added that there was nothing one would not give when Madiba came calling. “Ask around and they will tell you,” said Tovey.
He added that the magnitude of the man’s influence was so immense. When he came knocking on the team’s door, the players had no option but to put all their energy into the Afcon games and ensured they won.
Tovey, who’s now the South African Football Association technical director, said their induction into the Sun International Hall of Fame was a grand event which will make the whole team of 96 immortal in the minds of generations to come.
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“Our grandchildren and great grandchildren and others after them will be able to live the achievements we accomplished because of this induction,” he said.
He praised their departed colleagues, John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu and Sizwe Motaung, for the role they played in the team. “We shall always remember them and may their souls rest in peace.”
Tovey has coached the current African champions and Super Cup holders Mamelodi Sundowns, AmaZulu and the women’s national team Banyana Banyana.
