"People's minds are changed through observation and not through argument" - Will Rodgers. Looking at Bafana Bafana's AFCON record since 1996, the numbers show that the team has only managed once, to improve its position from the previous tournament that was in 2008 when they finished 13th after finishing in the 16th position during the previous tournament.

In all other instances, there has been a consistent downward spiral, the last time Bafana Bafana finished 3rd in the AFCON was in the year 2000 and they went on to finish 6th in the following edition of the tournament in 2002.

This is a trend that brings lots of discomfort to the staunch supporters of the national team, it actually cuts short the celebrations of this year's achievements, as one starts to wonder whether this great team is going to suffer the same fate as its predecessors.

It is quite unclear as to why this negative phenomenon has been allowed to go on for such a long time without being curbed.

It is unnecessary to make wild and unfounded guesses as to why Bafana Bafana has failed to improve after every tournament however, it is clear that this a matter that requires serious attention if South Africa looks to sustain the respect which this current Bafana Bafana team has earned for this country, not only in Africa but globally.

A tournament report is one of the very important documents that can be used to map the way forward.

Ideally, one perfomance report should be compiled by an independent "task team" of highly knowledgeable and experienced football coaches and sports scientists (convened specifically for the tournament).

Another report from the technical team and included in both reports, recommendations.

Reports play a very important role in any project because they inform, educate and present options and recommendations for the future action, they assist a lot in predicting threats, and also in the development of proper steps to move forward.

It is however, a futile exercise to compile beautiful reports which are never turned into action plans.

Up to this point, when one looks at Bafana Bafana's AFCON history, the only thing one learns is that we have learnt nothing from history, no lessons learnt whatsoever.

One hopes and prays that the football association is going to do all the right things to build and improve this current Bafana Bafana team, which has shown a lot of potential that it can be one of the greatest.

Where to from here for Bafana Bafana? Only time and history will be the judge.