Zambia did us proud by capturing the Africa Cup of Nations 2012 against the much fancied Cote d’ Ivoire. With added time our neighbors came close to winning out rightly but were unfortunate not to get goals when it mattered most.

Whilst a penalty shoot out may be every coach and players’ nightmare, it was evident that proceedings would be determined in that way much to the nerve-wrecking of others as both teams played a tight and defensive game.

With expectations heaped heavily on the Ivorians, it was however the spirited performance of Zambians that carried them throughout the tournament. Again their victory confirmed that the COSAFA Region of African Football is indeed strong despite numerous challenges of infrastructure in some parts.

May I therefore congratulate the entire nation of Zambia including players, administrators and supporters for lifting the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

In celebrating this victory, I cannot help but share some thoughts on its implications; perhaps with intention to challenge our perception and understanding of obligation to national duties.

My first observation was that the entire Zambian team played for national pride more than anything else. Their mission was in the interest of honouring their ill-fated heroes and the fact that they had only featured twice in the finals therefore pointed to the desire to redeem their pride.

Secondly, it was clear that they were not motivated by commercial gain as has been the case with other nations in the past. On many occasion, we have seen South African players making commercial demands and threatening to abandon their national obligations before kickoff. Whilst it was common for players to demand an obese purse for reaching the finals, the Zambians however stuck on course for the nation. For all I know, nothing of this sort has been witnessed in Europe or elsewhere but has unfortunately reared its ugly head on our shores.

Thirdly, the Zambian victory challenges us to revisit the debate around the selection of overseas-based players as qualifying the “depth” of our national team. The point in reference is Egypt that has won many continental titles with resource players that were plying their trade in the local league. This vindicates the statement that holds that football is not a game of big-name and often egoistic stars; but it is a game of which player can deliver when given a chance in time.

With nations like Nigeria, Cameroon and Egypt not even making it to the tournament despite a wealth of experience and big-name reputation, indicators were that only the determined and zealous could make the cut despite meager resources.

In the recent competition, the demise of the much fancied Senegal even before the knockout stages also added to the argument whilst big-name boasting teams like Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire failed to lift the trophy.

Zambia thus proved that it was team-performance that mattered and therefore remain true champions indeed.

OUR LEAGUE RACE

We came back all determined to continue our second round race for the ABSA Premiership trophy but found an up-to-the-task Jomo Cosmos unyielding with their share.

Although some performance showed signs of recovery from the long break, there were bouts of rustiness in making telling offensive surges that could have turned the outcome into our favour. Cosmos had given us quite a scare after conceding an easy goal by making us sweat for the seemingly concealed equalizer. With our last gasp onslaught, they were happy to play defensively to deny us a late goal and salvaged the contested three points that are vital in the second round of the race.

With Sundowns grabbing maximum points and the second-based Supersport sharing spoils with Free State Stars, the tone for a rough ride is already set to include teams that are in the dreaded last quarter of the log. Meanwhile defending Champions Orlando Pirates consolidated their Seventy Fifth Anniversary celebrations with a hard-gained win against Black Leopards to make the race more interesting. Moroka Swallows also registered a win to make the top quintet of leaders pull all stops to remain perched in that nest.

It is for such reasons that every match should be treated like the penultimate decider lest we find ourselves scrambling and hoping for the demise of other teams as was the case in the previous season. Be that as it may, I am certain our lads will establish their rhythm to pose a threat to every team that stands in our way.

Talk about that, this weekend we return to our home ground the FNB Stadium to engage on-song Moroka Swallows in another epic battle for the championships. They are coming into this match with a moral-boosting win against Santos whilst we certainly want to register an outright winner; a perfect ingredient that will set the historic host stadium abuzz with excitement. Although their squad obviously boasts a much experienced ensemble, they should be warned to be on the lookout for a Kaizer Chiefs that will settle for nothing less than a three point snatching victory.

BANYANA BANYANA

Congratulations to our national team for winning against Brazil’s Cepex Caxias in its backyard for that matter. I have no doubt that the technical team seems to be doing everything right in keeping the spirit of our women national team high to bag one victory after the other in preparing for the incumbent Olympic spectacle later in the year.

May we therefore rally in support of our national team until the closing ceremony of the London bound showpiece.

Kaizer Motaung (Mr.)

Executive Chairman