Ambition to relaunch NT as I did with U21.
That was the conclusion of my electoral speech, two seasons ago. A long while, indeed.
Let me then recap results first:
S23 African Cup: a 6th place aligned with S21. I found my good old friends, from Schartner to Wagana, with a mix of emotion and sadness (no other players!?). Two defeats in a row against Tounes, the first vs a curious MOTS 124-112 despite a 14 in inside attack, the second with an unluck 112-109. One of them would have meant a more encouraging 5th place, but it's a beginning. Ranking raised from initial 88th to 81st at end of the season.
S24 WC qualification Expected 0-3 at repechage vs #10, 18 and 43 in the world, not a chance indeed. Ranking dropped to 86 at the beginning, then almost stable at 83
S24 Consolation Gosh, I won it (with Italy) a couple of seasons ago! Well, Tounes now must not win. Done! 134-124 despite more attitude of opponents (we spent... a PIC!). Then, Romania 47 with some doubt "what if we'd played normal instead of PIC?", Rossyia 14, France 15. Then Belarus 50 after a MOTS and -surprise!- a GREAT won, 131-118 with both PICs!!!!! Some suicide of opponents I have to say.
Finally, Cyprus. Another won, 97-92, with apologies I have to spend with SA community as -for unknown reasons- we spent a normal, not a MOTS. Again, I don't know why, I haven't checked it multiple times as I usually do (some paranoid)... anyway, a W it's a W. Tournament completed with 3W, compared with the ZERO we had two seasons ago!
Season wasn't over. Again two W in friendly matches, defeating Cymru 75 and Bolivia 78 before falling against Ecuador 87. A great series of victories.
Final ranking: 65 (today we are 68)
Players Here I feel to say that expected to do more. Summer and job changes combined into reduction of time+internet connection. However, there have been major improvements, some with some guidance of mine, some with the support of my friend CEK6 (very happy to work with him and staff). I haven't updated the db yet, but the situation is clear: only FIVE players out of 18 in current roster are 30+ years old.
Our eldest Schartner, Wagana, Kolane, Mtolo (all from "my" U21) and Wall (36!) will be part of this team for a while, depending basically on their GS and, in some measure, deskilling. Galvin, Mokitimi, Motihala, the wonderful Sebe, can be starter in any match. Gulch is more than a good promise, and is likely a future pillar of this NT. Namuswa, Hijdra, Hlomelang, Moodley, Sugiura, Lekoelea, Cotton, can ensure depth to roster and are a foundation for the future.
There are two basic improvements we have to add, and we'll add with the support of U21 staff: first, tall men with higher primaries (>17), as we are lacking power; second and more important, outside defense and some more passing (we're working on it). We have a good future, and let's see if the "wave" introduced by BOT having good draftees will affect African opponents next seasons.
ConclusionsWell, I've spoken in first person about NT future - you know, SA has a special place in my BB-heart. You'll decide the next coach, as usual, and that will be matter of election campaign. What I'm proud of is having worked for one more mandate with SA and having built a future for this team and you. Thank you to all people who helped me, from CEK6 to our staffers, thank you to all South African and foreign managers that developed and nurtured our players.