Disrespect!

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Thursday February 11, 2010 00:00

 

Nearly all the players are inactive at their clubs while others are unattached. At least two players have been chased away from their clubs and are reportedly contemplating retiring from soccer.

Forgotten Platinum Stars midfielders, Daniel 'Sailor' Tshabalala and ageing Godfrey Sapula, who is said to be on the verge of retirement are in the 23-man squad.

Both Tshabalala and Sapula have been told by coach, Steve Kompela that they are surplus to requirements at Stars and they have not been training with the team. Sapula has only played 45 minutes all season.

Wayward former Ajax Cape Town and Bloemfontein Celtic winger, Mkhanyiseli Siwahla who is club-less has also made the cut. Sundowns defender, Robyn Johannes who has seen very little game time this season, is included in the squad that also has Santos goalkeeper, Wayne Roberts.

Others are fringe players who have been rotting on the bench at their respective clubs.SAFA Technical Director, Serame Letsoaka will handle the squad.

The decision by the South African Football Association (SAFA) to send a weakened side attracted stinging criticism from readers of an online soccer publication. One critic commented: 'What is this? SAFA does not care about the development of our soccer. If you are going to select a second grade team to represent our country, at least select players that will benefit our nation in future.

'None of the players on the list deserve to be there. Is it a national reserve team? Why don't you at least select only First Division players for CHAN? But going for Sailor Tshabalala (sic) SAFA is turning into clowns and Serame Letsoaka fails his first test as our technical director. Now we know that our football will never develop.' Another reader identified only as Katzin said: 'The circus continues at SAFA.

While it is very important that South Africa competes in this year's CHAN but really now what are we hoping to achieve in this tournament by selecting so many mediocre players and semi-retired and failed players.

Too many names to mention. I know the PSL season is reaching its climax and players are not available (but) is this the best we can send out?'

While South Africa brings a weakened side, Botswana has named a strong squad for the March 13 first leg clash in Gaborone. Zebras coach, Stan Tshosane said they expect a competitive match regardless of the team that has been chosen.

'I really cannot comment much about their choice. It is up to them to send a squad of their choice. I have not seen their list and I can't really say why they decided to send those players but we are ready to compete,' Tshosane said.

CAF introduced the biennial tournament to revive or strengthen national competitions regularly weakened by a mass exodus of top players to mostly European leagues. It is exclusively for players in the domestic leagues. The rest of the South African squad is:

Goalkeepers: Jacob Mokhasi (SuperSport United), Jackson Mabokgwane (Sundowns), Thela Ngobeni (Kaizer Chiefs), Buti Khoza (Jomo Cosmos)

Defenders: Robin Johannes (Sundowns), Siphamandla Vilakazi (Moroka Swallows), Darren Dicks (FC Cape Town), Morne Davids (FC Cape Town), Sibusiso Mxoyane (Orlando Pirates), Brendon Barkhuizen (Wits)

Midfielders: Wyne Matle (Kaizer Chiefs), Michael Nkambule (Kaizer Chiefs), Gareth Ncaca (Sundowns), Thuso Phala (Sundowns), Fanyana Mokeona (Sundowns),Bongane Thwala (Sundowns), Mkhanyiseli Siwahla (no club), Bridget Motha (University of Pretoria), Thabo Moleko (SuperSport United)

Strikers: Petrus Mhlatsi (SuperSport United), Ryan Botha (Moroka Swallows), Lucky Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Sandile Gumede (AmaZulu).