Irate Mashaba still maintains Bafana could be runner-up

When the final whistle blew at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Tuesday, memories of Bafana Bafana’s worst years must have haunted supporters of the national team.

A goalless draw with group M leaders Cameroon in Durban all but ended Bafana’s hopes of playing at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Gabon next year.

Despite disappointing displays at last year’s Afcon in Equatorial Guinea and collecting just three points in four matches in a more favourable qualifying campaign this time round, two of Bafana’s former players – Phil Masinga and Linda Buthelezi – do not think Shakes Mashaba’s team has gone backwards since qualifying for the 2015 Afcon.

“The first two games (against Gambia and Mauritania) were crucial,” said Masinga. “We played against teams that we should have beaten.”

Buthelezi says Mashaba needs to work on the character of the players.

“The only problem failing South Africa is that players do not have character.

“You need to roar when you are on the pitch.”