South Africa: The Trajectory of an Imminent Success
As a Nigerian —coming from a country that has shared a long, intense rivalry with South Africa in football and in other spheres—this is not an easy thing to admit. Rivalries shape perception, pride, and bias. Yet analysis demands honesty. And the honest conclusion, drawn from evidence rather than sentiment, is this: South African football is on a clear trajectory toward continental excellence. This is not about sudden dominance, nor is it blind admiration. It is about structure, psychology, institutional learning, and sustained competitive presence—elements that separate short-term success from long-term power. Breaking the North African Psychological Barrier For decades, North African and Arab clubs—particularly from Egypt , Morocco , and Tunisia —have represented a psychological and structural wall for many sub-Saharan African teams. Matches in Cairo , Casablanca , or Tunis often defeat teams before kickoff, not always through superior football, but through experience, game manage...