COMMENT
"I want to go to there," says Liz Lemon of 30 Rock as she looks upon the item of her desire, the dreamy Dr Drew Baird.
I suspect, for South Africans, the catchphrase could very well echo something similar as we look upon the Fifa World Cup 2030, to be co-hosted in Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. Having tasted the fruits of the most recent World Cup in North America, perhaps our sentiments would be closer to: "Bafana Bafana, we want to go to there."
After a handful of weeks of gnashing of teeth and grinding out an understanding through – hopefully – a mutually beneficial contract, Pitso Mosimane was officially unveiled as coach of the South African senior men's team earlier this week. It was already well-established that Mosimane, who coached Bafana previously between 2010 and 2012, would become the man in the hot seat after Hugo Broos, but a protracted period of negotiation – reportedly regarding remuneration – stalled the announcement earlier.
Now, with all protocols observed and the ceremony of unveiling behind us, Mosimane begins his second stint at a brisk pace. At the end of the month, his managerial structure and logistics must be in place for him to select his squad and start imposing his playing philosophy.
After all, two matches await – both Afcon 2027 qualifiers – against Guinea and Eritrea in Group D. It is a tough group, too, as it also includes co-hosts Kenya, meaning that only one other team will progress to the continental showpiece. Bafana must finish first in the group, and if they are to finish second, then only Kenya can top the group.
Any other configuration, and Bafana will not qualify.
While qualifying for Afcon 2027 will certainly be an immediate objective for Mosimane and his new technical team – who include Musi Matlaba and Kabelo Rangoaga – reaching the 2030 World Cup remains the ultimate goal.
Bafana's recent participation at the showpiece event was a glorious moment in South African sporting history. Putting aside the geopolitical shenanigans of the US in the build-up and during the event, and the soulless cash grab attempted by Fifa president Gianni Infantino prior to, during and after the event, coupled with his subservience to the Trump administration, it was a moment to savour and remember for the nation.
There was heartbreak and triumph, drama and history-making, viral moments and memes, goals, debate, tears of happiness and despair, but most importantly, though playing out on the far-away fields of North America, there was nation-building back home in South Africa.
Returning to that celebrated jewel of football is a high that lingers long in the system – an addiction that cannot simply be forgotten. Now that we have been there, "we want to go to there" desperately again.
"Jingles" has the pedigree to ensure we sip from that cup of ambrosia once more.
In a handful of respects, Mosimane's return follows a similar setup. As in 2010, Mosimane took over after a World Cup. Before that, he served as assistant to Joel Santana and Carlos Alberto Parreira in the Bafana setup, as well as caretaker coach for seven matches in 2007.
Mosimane's successes were limited then. He had only won two major trophies: the Top 8 title in 2004 and the Nedbank Cup a year later.
Now, 16 years later, Mosimane's CV is far more impressive: five Betway Premiership championships; Egyptian Premier League and Saudi First Division League titles; three CAF Champions League titles; three CAF Super Cups; two more Nedbank Cups; one Egypt Cup; and two Telkom Knockout championships.
His first full stint as Bafana coach ended after an embarrassing miscalculation, coupled with wild celebrations, regarding qualification rules for Afcon 2012 following a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone in October 2011. His Bafana record concluded abruptly thereafter after 23 matches in charge, having recorded nine wins, 10 draws, and just four defeats.
For Mosimane, this second coming is about more than just contracts or tactics; it is the ultimate chance at redemption. The road to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco will be relentless, starting with Group D's unforgiving math.
The journey to 2030 starts now in the trenches of Afcon qualifying, and with "Jingles" orchestrating the campaign, South Africans can reasonably believe that "there" is precisely where we are headed.