Bongani returns from soccer hell

Bongani Khumalo hasn't quite been to hell and back since joining Spurs at the beginning of last year. But he's been close enough: he went to Preston and back, then to Reading and back.

Right now, he's far from hell. The new Bafana skipper's day job is in Thessaloniki, a sun-drenched port in Greece, where he is turning out for PAOK. Khumalo is playing every game, his team are second on the log and he's regaining the kind of form that won him three league medals with Supersport United - and the Spurs move.

Debt crisis notwithstanding, the Greek lifestyle is working for him.

"The seafood restaurants are beautiful, and the people are still walking around with a smile on their faces. Football gives them hope when there is often despair."

A year ago, football wasn't giving Khumalo much hope. Because of a couple of injuries and Spurs' depth at centre back, Khumalo never kicked a ball in a league game for Harry Redknapp.

Loan spells at Preston and Reading were also blighted by injury and his morale headed south. Now that he has pushed through the slump, he isn't willing to turn his back on White Hart Lane.

"I still believe I have a future at Spurs," he says. "At the moment, however, I'm focused on being the best I possibly can be for PAOK. At the end of the season, we'll see what the way forward is."

Khumalo is a serious chap, which is just as well. Bafana have been a source of grim amusement to many, but this Nations Cup campaign is no laughing matter. Together with coach Gordon Igesund, Khumalo must present a new and inspired Bafana to the nation. Until the brand is rehabilitated, no wisecracks are needed, and Khumalo's Neil Tovey-esque gravitas is just what the doctor ordered.

Needless to say, clean sheets are more important than tidy post-match interviews. And tomorrow night's clash against Zambia will be the sternest test yet of the new skipper's comeback - especially since he will likely have to work with a new centre back partner. Khumalo has gelled well with Siyabonga Sangweni, but the latter is in doubt.

The Nelson Mandela Challenge will have a sombre undertone: it is the first Bafana fixture since the passing of Tommy Madigage, who was a father figure to Khumalo.

"Tommy had a very influential role in my development," he says.

"When I arrived at Supersport, he was assistant coach and I always knew that he had my best interests at heart.

"He loved a cup of coffee. Whenever there was a problem, he would always suggest coffee, basically meaning that he wanted to talk about football matters away from all the emotion and pressure. He had a special ability to communicate with players."

The pain of his passing is worsened by the deaths of four Polokwane City players on Sunday, in another accident near Polokwane. How much longer can we lose so many souls on our roads every year? The crisis will only end when there is a profound shift in our driving culture.

My condolences to the families of deceased Koketso Takalo, Robert Mphuti, Moeketsi Nthete and Silvester Mpaketsane.