With Former Kaizer Chiefs Sergio dos Santos saying Bafana Bafana are "fooling themselves" by thinking they can win the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations, KickOff readers have not held back with sharing their thoughts on the matter.
What's the story?
South Africa have put themselves in a good position to qualify for the Round of 16 ahead of their make-or-break encounter against Tunisia set to be played on Wednesday evening.
"The squad lacks quality in certain areas of the field," Santos told KickOff.
"We are struggling at the moment, the defence is not 100%, the midfield is lacking, upfront we lack a proper striker. We've got to be realistic and say, if we go through to the knockout stages we would have done very, very well.
"The last thing on one's mind is to say we got a chance to win it. If we say that, we are fooling ourselves. One thing is for sure, if you lose your first match, you going to be under pressure."
This is what the KO faithful had to say:
"That's why he is a former PSL coach. His arrogance is out of this world. Bafana Bafana, like any other nation, deserve some level of respect. There are nations that may not make it to the last 16, but they are still called favorites of the tournament. In football, it is important to acknowledge the talent and hard work of all teams, regardless of their ultimate success," says Kanye Pamba.
"He doesn't even know if he'll eat supper tonight so he must chill that one. We are tired of negative energy bakithi," says Nipho Mabika.
"As long as we have our Makgopa who is very good on dismantling the defence so that others can score we will win this tournament..." says Sibusiso Ntusi.
"True, they can... CAN advance to group of 16 but to win it no," says Mandla Malandela.
"He's not a fortune teller, this AFCON so far is proving people wrong, so unpredictable so anyone can take it including Bafana Bafana, nothing is impossible these doom-sayers must just watch the space..." says Tshepo Humble Ratau.
"I said it before and I will say it again: With the right momentum and belief, we can beat the likes of Spain, Brazil and France," declares Paul Katlego Serache.
"Even the so-called super powers haven't lived up to expectations," says Musa Khumalo.
"Is he God? We are in Ivory Coast to compete with other nations and already he is thinking about winning. That's the reason he is a former coach," says Lebepe Jimmy.
Read: Amakhosi beginnings proves to be the root of success for ex-star
Meanwhile, Cameroonian Football Federation president Samuel Eto'o and goalkeeper Andre Onana are reportedly not on speaking terms with one another since the two had a falling out at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, according to the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler.
The KO readers shared their strong perspectives and this is what they said:
"Eto'o is right, the blame is always put on the coaches, players must also take responsibility," says Hans Lekgetho.
"Eto'o acting like a Girlfriend instead of being a leader. The man is self centred to the core," says Collen Ralebala.
"They should have sat him out... It's not a crime to call him and put him on the bench," says Echelon Diteko kwa'Ratshau.
"Don't see anything special about him. He's an open net. Even if you could take someone from the streets and put him between the goal posts he would do better than Onana," says Jodye Moni.
"Onana should have stayed in England," says Daniel Mthabela.
"I smell lack of leadership that is why players do as they wish. As a leader how can you not be on speaking terms with a player but you are his leader?" asks Tlhogi Ahmed Qondi.
"Cameroon should never select Onana again the guy thinks he is bigger than Cameroon he wants to be a player and a coach at the same time," says Mkhàtshwá Zwïdé Màjor.