Make us proud Amajimbos, Chile awaits you

Namuhlanje elamanqamu ebholeni lakuleli. Today is a day of reckoning for South African soccer.

How and why, I hear you ask. With your permission, let me put things in perspective.

You see, dear reader, while your leaders were extremely busy filibustering in parliament in their collective dishonour, your other compatriots are somewhere in a faraway land of West Africa chasing some serious honour.

The national under-17 soccer team are not on a sight-seeing junket in Niamey, the capital city of Niger, the country hosting the 2015 African Under-17 Championship.

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Amajimbos, as the teenagers are affectionately known, are there competing in a bid to navigate a passage to Chile, the south American land on whose grass the 2015 Under-17 World Cup will be contested.

In an eight-team tournament, coach Molefi Ntseki's boys are in Group B that consists of Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Senegal.

On Monday, they almost had a dream start when they romped to a 2-0 lead against defending champions Ivory Coast courtesy of a goal by Sibongakonke Shoba, I mean Mbatha, and Khanyiso Mayo. I'm no Brandy but, in football, as in all things in life, that almost doesn't count.

Our boys blew the two goal advantage in the last 15 minutes.

On Thursday, the tables were turned as it was their turn to come from behind twice.

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Trailing 2-0 against the Mali man mountains, who some sceptics suspect have been shaving long before this columnist ventured anywhere near a razor, Amajimbos showed they were made of sterner stuff.

Two goals in the last 16 minutes secured a share of the spoils that keep their chances of booking a ticket to Chile alive. It is this resilience, gallantry and never-say-die spirit their big brothers must emulate.

Which is why today is the day of reckoning, elamnqamu.

In their final group match at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium today, Amajimbos must concentrate and channel every ounce of their energy into their clash against Cameroon.

This is a make or break, sink or swim, do or die clash. The stakes are high and the boys need to step up to the plate.

If you think Bafana Bafana have been perennial poor performers over the years, you're right.

But the big brothers do not hold sole custodianship of under-achievement. To put it crudely, we've been rubbish at all levels.

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The rot must stop as in yesterday, because today is the day of reckoning. For things to change, the juniors must shine at their level, for the players they compete against at this stage are the ones they will meet at senior level.

The positive progression of the junior national teams is a crucial cornerstone, a bedrock on which a castle of success at senior international level can be built.

It is an important building block for the Vision 2022 set out by the South African Football Association. For far too long we've stupidly tried to build on quicksand.

The results have been evident, even to the blind society.

Today we can change all that.

Cameroon may be deflated because they are already eliminated. That is what makes them dangerous - they have nothing to lose. All they seek is to salvage some pride. Amajimbos must refuse to allow that to happen at their expense.

As for the various permutations that will follow Amajimbos into this match? It's has been a long week and we don't have the stomach for the mathematical headache. There's two scenarios: Amajimbos MUST win to take their points tally to five. Ivory Coast must beat Mali or vice versa. And all that will be left to say will be: Chile here comes Amajimbos.

Namuhlanje elamanqamu.

twitter: @bbkunplugged99