What do you get when you have Eric Tinkler with a bit of flair and leadership qualities? The answer is Dean Furman.
When Gordon Igesund, Ephraim Mashaba’s predecessor, selected Dean Furman, soccer fans – the majority of whom in South Africa happen to be black – must have frowned at the decision. “Aha. Gordon has brought his own (a white soccer player).”
Such is the depth of the apartheid legacy that a sincere decision taken in the national interest is viewed from a racial perspective. The battled scarred Doncaster Rovers holding midfielder was subjected to the same treatment. He was not even given time to settle, as armchair soccer ‘experts’ clogged sports phone-in programmes on radios wondered what Gordon saw in Furman that local players in a similar position could offer.
Now Gordon’s misguided decision has been emphatically vindicated. Dean Furman’s six star performances in the Bafana Bafana jersey have earned him the captaincy of the national team. Now he will be the link between shakes and the players as Bafana Bafana take aim at the 2015 African Cup of Nations, nineteen years after winning it.
Undoubtedly, the senior national soccer team has never had the captain willing to die for the national cause of his mould, ever since the times of Lucas Radebe.
But what are three things that make Furman stand out?
- Commitment
With Furman, there are no half measures: you are either part of the cause or not at all. He flies from London to honour even a fixture with low-ranked Malawi. He does not cherry pick games in which to play his heart out. Whether it is against a team with World Player of the Year or a Mvela League player, he displays a dogged commitment. No prima donna tantrums of some self-absorbed overseas-based players.
- Consistency
Thus far, Furman has never disappointed in his performances. His defence-splitting passing is impeccable. Mesmerised, a popular soccer commentator summed up: “he does basic things perfectly.”
- Candour Captain
As Captain, Furman does not mince words to strike fear in the minds of opponents. Remember during an interview before the crunch qualifier against in Nigeria’s own backyard, he said something along these lines: “Our mission is beat Nigeria and we won’t settle for a draw.” The result: Bafana drew but booted out holders, Nigeria out of the 2015 African Cup of Nations Qualifiers.
