Masinga, man of the moment

Phil Masingas goals guided South Africa into their first World Cup finals now the "rainbow people" are hoping he can score a few more to keep them there. Masingas club career has often been a struggle, but when he pulls on a green and yellow shirt, there is no stopping the man who scored the winner in all four of South Africas qualifying victories. Born just outside Johannesburg, Masinga left South Africa in 1994 after three seasons with Mamelodi Sundowns for the English Premiership, and a disappointing two-year spell with Leeds United. There was a ray of sunshine when he won the African Nations Cup before the home crowds in February 1996. But when the league season ended, Masinga was shipped out to Switzerland, where he played 10 games with St Gallen before leaving in October for Salernitana and Italys Serie B. It was a tough apprenticeship, but he managed to score four times in 16 games, and there was plenty more to celebrate on international duty. In May, Masinga returned to England, this time to face Glenn Hoddles side at Wembley. England won 2-1, but South Africa played well and Masinga scored an equaliser. "Even though we ended up losing, it was still a result we can be proud of," he said. However, there was more to be proud of in August, when South Africa qualified for their first ever World Cup finals by beating Congo with Masinga scoring the winner. "Certain feelings you just cant describe," he said. "Obviously, it was the most important goal in my life, but its difficult to describe what happened at that moment."The roar of 95,000 people in Johannesburg made the earth tremble. And when the final whistle went, everyone was crying and shouting for joy. The partying went on for two days. "To see white and black people celebrating together was one of those magical things that makes sport such an extraordinary thing. " As for the inevitable comparison with South Africas rugby World Cup victory in 1995, he said: "That was the first time sport had struck a blow against apartheid. Now weve struck the last one." His Italian club teammates, who a few weeks earlier had seen him score five goals in a friendly, lined up to congratulate him on his return. "Ive been shaking hands continuously for the past three days now," he said, before adding bashfully: "Ive never felt so important." Important or not, the unwritten rule of the Italian first division is that life there for a new foreign player always begins with a struggle, and one that in many cases never ends. Masinga was no exception to the rule. He was unable to score or stay on the right side of Italys whistle-happy referees in his first year with Bari, and found himself being sent off three times in his first three months. However, it was not all gloom and doom. November saw him break his duck with two goals against Empoli that earned Bari a valuable away victory. "The Italian championship is certainly one of the toughest in the world," he said. "Ive played in England and its not easy there, but in Italy its much harder, especially for a striker." Life got easier after Christmas, when he scored again in a rare 2-1 win over Vicenza, before going on to hit the headlines all around Europe. Inter had been invincible for nearly six months when the man from Klerksdorp prodded home the only goal of Baris game in the temple of Italian football, Milans San Siro stadium,. Masinga had made it to the top, thanks to a rare ability to score goals that count. In France, that skill should come in handy.

© - AFP - 1998