Samuel Eto’o raises concern on South Africa’s AFCON struggles
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 10: Former striker Samuel Eto'o comments for Amazon Prime following the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at San Siro on May 10, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
African legend Samuel Eto’o is puzzled by the generally dismal performances of South Africa at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) ahead of their 2024 debut against Mali on Tuesday.
“I am baffled as to why Bafana Bafana (The Boys) have constantly underperformed at the Cup of Nations,” he told AFP during a visit to South Africa.
“The South African league is well organised and one of the best in Africa so I do not understand why the national team is not that good.
“Football officials need to sit down and plan how to take Bafana to another level and make it the best national team in Africa.
“Given the strength of the national league, that is possible,” said Eto’o, a two-time Cup of Nations winner with Cameroon and the leading all-time scorer in the competition with 18 goals.
Now president of the Cameroon Football Federation, Eto’o played for numerous European clubs including Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton during a 22-year career.
South Africa return to the Cup of Nations after failing to qualify two years ago, and face Mali, Namibia and Tunisia in Group E in Korhogo, the most northern of five Ivory Coast host cities.
Expectations in South Africa are that Bafana must at least draw with Mali or Tunisia and beat Namibia to progress as top-two finishers or one of four highest ranked third-placed teams.
After finishing first as hosts, second and third in their first three appearances, Bafana have constantly flopped. They failed to even qualify for four of the last seven editions.
In six subsequent appearances, the best they have managed is two quarter-final appearances, and one of those was as 2013 hosts.
AFP
