ILAN HERMANN
This history making statistic was created by Cape Town-born 26-year-old Dean Furman who led Bafana Bafana out against Sudan in an Afcon qualifier in front of 32 000 spectators in cold and cloudy conditions at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Bafana coach, Ephraim “Shakes” Mashaba, selected Furman to captain the side in a game that not only resulted in the South Africans gaining three points with a 2-1 victory to top their group, but also ensured qualification to the 2015 African Cup of Nations (Afcon), even before their last group game against reigning champions Nigeria this weekend.
Mashaba has vowed that, although the result against Nigeria is academic, his team wants to go through its qualifiers without a loss.
Furman was tasked with leading the team following the tragic death of Senzo Meyiwa, Bafana’s goalkeeper and captain, who was murdered on 26 October 26, at the home of his girlfriend’s mother in Vosloorus. The game against Sudan was preceded by a minute’s silence in Meyiwa’s memory.
Furman was ecstatic with his promotion, but was quick to shift the focus, attributing the victory to a collective team effort.
“What we showed today is that we are a team of leaders and that’s great for us going forward.”
For Furman it’s a continuation of an ever-developing and impressive career at both club and national level. For Bafana he has been a regular first team player since his debut against Brazil in Sao Paolo in 2012.
That was his highlight career moment until last weekend of which he said: “For me it was probably the biggest honour and one of the proudest moments of, not only my career, but my life, to lead my national team out onto the field.”
Furman recalls how it was just last year at the same stadium that South Africa failed to qualify for the 2014 Soccer World Cup. It led to a closing-in of coach Gordon Igesund’s tenure and was a low mark for SA national soccer. But all that’s changed now and Furman and the team are flying high under an inspired Mashaba and a string of good results.
Furman is a crowd favourite with the crowd wildly shouting “Mlungu” (white man) and “Deeeeeeaan” whenever he gets the ball.
“He is the calculating and stabilising factor in the team,” says Sy Lerman doyen of SA soccer. “Mashaba would do well to try find two or three more like him – sturdy white players to secure the defence and complement the skillful frontrunners.”
Furman’s tackling is often the cause for breaking down opposition forays into Bafana territory, but he also combines his defensive solidity with an ability to release precision passes that launch an offensive.
“He is the ultimate competitor, approaching every game with a fiery determination and gives 100 per cent always,” commented Raymond Hack former CEO of Safa (SA Football Association). “Mashaba likes that kind of leader, so I reckon Dean could become the firm favourite to lead the team into the future – certainly for the Afcon tournament.”
It’s not the first time Dean has led as captain. At his previous club, Oldham Athletic, he was the skipper over the 2011/12 season. In 2013 he signed for Doncastor Rovers, where he currently plays.
The Afcon takes place early next year from January 17 to February 8. The tournament was originally scheduled for Morrocco, but due to West Africa’s Ebola concern, it has been relocated to Equatorial Guinea.
