SA’s best all revved up to achieve their goals

Will that engine continue growing into a healthy growl in 2016, or will it stall? We look at some important dates that could decide that question.

lFebruary 12-14 and 26-28: Volcan v Kaizer Chiefs, 2016 Caf Champions League preliminary round

Since winning the Caf Cup Winners Cup in 2001, Chiefs’ record in continental football has been quite woeful for a club of its stature.

But Orlando Pirates’ two finals in three years might just have smarted enough for Amakhosi to finally take playing in Africa seriously.

After meeting Comoros islanders Volcan, Chiefs are likely to meet Asec Abidjan in the first round.

In the second round, the winners of which reach the group stages, this year’s Sudanese semi-finalists, Al-Hilal, await.

lFebruary 12-14 and 26-28: Chicken Inn v Mamelodi Sundowns, 2016 Caf Champions League preliminary round

PSL runners-up Sundowns were unlucky to lose narrowly against TP Mazembe in the first round this year, and are hungry for African success.

As Downs’ experience in continental football grows they will look for an improvement next year, starting against tricky Zimbabweans Chicken Inn. Downs would then meet Congo’s AC Leopards in the first round. DR Congo’s AS Vita or Mozambican’s Ferroviario Maputo are their most likely opponents in the second round.

lMarch 23-26: Cameroon v South Africa, 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

South African football sits at a potential crossroads – Bafana Bafana and the junior national teams have begun reaching tournaments again, and need to continue on that path for a potential regeneration.

But after starting with a 0-0 home draw against Gambia, then a disastrous 3-1 defeat away against Mauritania, Bafana’s qualification for Gabon 2017 hangs in the balance. The next two games are home and away against Cameroon.

lMarch 26-29: Bafana v Cameroon, Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

So much depends on the midweek result. But if Bafana can come away with a, believe it or not, not so improbable away victory in Cameroon, then they can truly get their Afcon campaign back on track that following weekend.

The South Africans have a good record against the unpredictable Indomitable Lions.

And Shakes Mashaba’s men’s confidence has been boosted by a good tour of central America, and World Cup qualifying victory against Angola.

After Cameroon matches away games against Gambia and home against Mauritania remain.

lAugust 3-20: Men’s Olympic tournament, Brazil

Last year Bafana at the Africa Cup of Nations, the SA U20s at their Caf championships, and U17s at their Fifa World Cup exited at the first hurdle.

Orlando Pirates reached the Caf Confederation Cup final, losing narrowly to Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel. Finally, earlier this month, SA U23s raised hopes by reaching the Rio Olympics with a third-placed finish, beating hosts Senegal on penalties at the Caf U23 Afcon championships.

Now goalkeeper Jody February, defenders Rivaldo Coetzee and Abbubaker Mobara, midfielders Phumlani Ntshangase, Keagan Dolly and Gift Motupa, and forwards Riyaad Norodien, Menzi Masuku and Phakamani Mahlambi can better the generation of Sydney 2000 by reaching the knockout stages.

Fellow qualifiers in the 16-team tournament include the hosts, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, Sweden, Fiji, Mexico, Honduras, Argentina, Nigeria and Algeria.

lAugust 3-20: Women’s Olympic tournament, Brazil

Banyana Banyana reached their second Olympics in style with one of their most impressive results ever. When they drew 0-0 at home against Africa’s second-best women’s football team, Equatorial Guinea, most wrote the South Africans off.

But they won the second leg 1-0 in Bata against all expectations.

Growing suspicion of coach Vera Pauw’s defensive tactics have been put to rest for now.

The South Africans have been glowing in praise of the technical improvement under the Dutch coach. Now can they go one better than under Joseph Mkhonza at London 2012, where Banyana managed one point with a draw against Japan.