Bafana must bring back the good old days

There used to be a time when Bafana Bafana games competed with the Soweto derby in terms of interest. 

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They were big events. One would get a special feeling on the week leading up to the game.

The talk everywhere, on radio, on TV, in newspapers and in public transport services would be all Bafana. 

But these days that feeling is gone. These days I know that Bafana are playing because I work in football. 

I am an avid listener of radio but I haven’t picked up any excitement as yet. Even on social media, I just can’t get the feeling. 

But I am hoping that it will come today, especially as the time for kick off ticks closer. 

This is an exciting and important game for Bafana as they have to win it to keep chances of going to Ivory Coast alive. 

I know the reason for the lack of excitement will be blamed on the team failing to give us something to cheer about over the past few years (or is it for a long time?).

Indeed Bafana have made us suffer. We suffered so much that at some point we pretended to like the heartache they brought us when they lost. 

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We made jokes about it. But it still pulled the wrong strings in the heart and leaves one wishing he never watched the game. 

I urge you however to forget all of that and give them a fresh start. For the first time, the coach has selected a squad that I think is satisfactory. 

There are very few complaints about this one. It is made mainly of in-form players. It is an exciting group of players who can lead us back to glory days. 

And yes I still have my reservations about the coach Hugo Broos, especially in terms of the way he manages to contradict himself and step over toes unnecessarily. 

But let us give these young boys our support. I believe if they feel that we are there and we care, they will be inspired to give us a show not to forget. 

And to the boys, my message is simple and I am sure they will understand it: Azikhale!