Long, long ago in 1996 Bafana Bafana tasted sweet success when they won the African Cup of Nations. Since then it’s been misery heaped upon heartbreak. The time for a new dawn is now, their recently appointed sports psychologist says. Some fans may shrug, expecting more disappointment, but they haven’t met HENNING GERICKE.
When he walked into the Bafana camp Henning was concerned about their mental toughness and commitment. Chuckling, he admits that after one session with the team he now has a new fear. “The guys are on a high and are very hungry. Now I have to work at keeping them cool-headed so they don’t burn out.”
Dressed in jeans and a jersey Henning looks an unlikely saviour of Bafana, as he has been called in some newspapers.
“If I’ve learnt anything it’s to respect the powerful role emotion plays in performance. The right emotions bring energy, sparkle, flow, fight and brilliance.” That’s what he wants to instil in the Bafana squad.
He has been at his new challenge for only a few days and his mind is working overtime. He has identified Bafana’s biggest problem: “There are too few traditions in the Bafana squad. Rituals are important because they help the players work up the necessary feeling for what they have to do.”
Henning has come up with a plan: he wants to involve players from SA’s victorious 1996 African Cup of Nations team. “Something as simple as a ceremony to hand over jerseys is important.”
Henning says the team needs a rallying cry, something like the Springbok motto in 2007: The Time Is Now. It energises players - and fans - and helps them focus on the challenge ahead. “We also need a theme song,” he says enthusiastically.
“The first thing I have to do is give players purpose, make them embrace the challenge they face. We need Bafana to become one team.”
When he’s done he hopes to deliver a squad that can take on the best.
But his optimism hasn’t blinded him. “I spoke to Bafana about belief and how it’s the beginning of everything,” he says cautiously. “I believe in the law of attraction. If you focus on something you’ll get it. It will take hard work but God will give you opportunities to make your dreams come true.”
* Read all about the world’s top goalie, Spain’s Iker Casilla, in the Celebs channel.
