Williams: Bafana will not repeat Afcon qualifier rules blunder

Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams says the national team has made sure every player understands the Afcon qualifying rules this time, after the so-called “Dance of Shame” of 2012, according to IOL.

Why Group D is tricky

South Africa share Group D with Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya, who are co-hosts of the tournament. Because Kenya have already secured their place as hosts, only one of the other three nations can qualify from the group. That team must either win the group outright or finish second behind the Harambee Stars when the campaign ends in March next year.

Williams said the memory of 2012 is still fresh. Bafana drew 0-0 with Sierra Leone in their final qualifier, believing they had qualified on goal difference. In fact, head-to-head results decided the standings if teams finished level on points. Itumeleng Khune, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Andile Jali then led a celebratory dance that became known as the “Dance of Shame”.

Coach Pitso Mosimane was in charge at the time. IOL noted that he has worked with Williams to make sure the current squad understands what having Kenya in the group means.

“The coach has made mention of it,” Williams said. “We don’t want to put ourselves in that situation again.”

Six points on the table

Bafana top the group with a maximum six points from their first two matches. They now meet Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday at 6 pm, before the return leg in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Williams said the final two rounds in March will be decisive, but that the immediate focus is on this window. “If we get six points now, you guys (the media) can start packing your bags already,” he said. “We’d have one foot in.”

He is pleased with the start but wants the squad to keep improving. According to Williams, the coach has asked the players to be just 5% better as a team. He also said the last camp, which brought three victories, was “amazing”, but that the coach wants more. “It’s scary what this team can do in the next few months,” he said.

What to remember

• Bafana v Kenya: Friday 13 November, 6 pm, Orlando Amstel Arena.
• Kenya v Bafana: Tuesday, in Nairobi.
• The final two qualifying rounds take place in March next year.

Six points from the two Kenya fixtures would leave South Africa well placed in the group before those final rounds.

This story is based on reporting by IOL.