The former Bafana Bafana forward is convinced African football has closed the gap on the world’s best, pointing to Cape Verde’s run as proof the fear factor is gone.
“I don’t think there are smaller nations anymore. The respect is there, but there’s no fear anymore,” Bartlett said on Sportpesa’s Shaun Bartlett World Cup Special.
“If I have to mention a team like Cape Verde, they’re going up against Argentina, for me that was one of the games of the tournament. Just showing what they’re capable of doing. Their players are not even playing at the highest level, but they still managed to contest and compete with the defending champions.”
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He was less pleased with how several African sides finished matches, with nine of the continent’s ten qualifiers reaching the knockout stage before faltering late.
“It’s disappointing because we were hoping to have more African teams go further,” Bartlett said. “Quite a few teams gave up leads, lost the games, and I think for me that was quite disappointing. I think it was a lapse of concentration and lack of mental toughness as well.”
He also questioned some coaching substitutions, noting that bringing on defensive players too early sent the wrong signal to teammates still chasing the game.
Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble
