Bafana Bafana great gives his take on FIFA World Cup
During the World Cup, Northglen News will be speaking to former football players and Bafana Bafana greats.
FOR the next month football fans’ excitement will be at fever pitch as 48 teams compete in the FIFA World Cup tournament across the US, Canada, and Mexico. This World Cup features 104 matches spanning four time zones. During the World Cup, Northglen News will speak to former football players and Bafana Bafana greats.
This week we speak to Glen Hills resident Neil Tovey.
Tovey’s footballing journey started at Virginia United Football Club as a five year old playing in the U6 team. By his own admission he began playing in boots far too large for him. He schooled at Virginia Primary School (now Virginia Preparatory School) and Northlands Boys’ High (now Northwood School).
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In professional football, the 63-year-old represented Durban City, AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs where he is one of the most capped players in the National Soccer League (NSL) and Premier Soccer League (PSL) with more than 500 appearances. Something he will always be remembered for was leading Bafana Bafana to their only Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in 1996 and standing alongside former president Nelson Mandela as he lifted the coveted cup.
He represented the national team 52 times and captained Bafana Bafana 29 times. He also served as a technical director in the South African Football Association (SAFA). In 2018, in recognition for his footballing excellence and contribution to South African football, Tovey was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver (awarded to South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism or sport).
You are now more likely to find him on the bowling green where he continues his sporting success having made it on the district level. He is a member of the Parkhill Bowling Club.
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Who is going to win the World Cup
What are your standout football World Cup moments?
“I was a big Pele fan. I watched a lot of videos of his World Cups in 1958 and 1962. He was unbelievably brilliant and what he did in his first World Cup as a teenager was incredible. I remember watching Diego Maradona’s ‘goal of the century’ where he went from his half to score the second goal against England in the quarter-final in 1986. Of course the 3-2 match between Brazil and Italy in the 1994 final which coincidentally was held in the USA.
How do you rate Bafana Bafana’s chances?
“They are in an interesting group where any of the countries can beat each other. I feel Mexico are the favourites but Czechia, South Korea and Bafana can all get a result. If you win one game you can’t rely on the other so that makes it an open group. It will be a very close group and it could come down to goal differences to progress to the next round. With an additional round, the eight best third-place teams advance so it’s vital to get a result in every game.”
Have you played or attended a FIFA World Cup?
“I was eligible to play in the 1998 World Cup but I wasn’t selected. I don’t have any regrets about that now. I attended all the games in the 2010 World Cup which was an incredible experience. I have been invited to Atlanta for the second game of this World Cup but I have other commitments here.”
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