South Africans lurch from one crisis to another

Alaafin · Post by **Alaafin** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:11 pm

Soccer-South Africans lurch from one crisis to another

By Mark Gleeson

PORT LOUIS, Jan 8 (Reuters) - South African soccer faced fresh embarrassment on Thursday when the national team arrived for a match in Mauritius with more officials than players.

Only 15 footballers made the trip to the Indian Ocean island for Saturday's Cosafa Castle Cup first round match against Mauritius which is part of South Africa's preparation for the African Nations Cup which starts on January 24.

On Wednesday the coach Ephraim Mashaba was suspended by the South African Football Association for alleged breach of contract after heavy criticism of his player selection for the Nations Cup tournament in Tunisia.

Mashaba's assistant Styles Phumo took charge of the side on Thursday but has just 15 players for Saturday's game at Curepipe, with just one goalkeeper.

Uncapped goalkeeper Wayne Roberts had to be left behind at the airport after belatedly discovering his passport had expired.

There were, however, 18 officials accompanying the threadbare squad for the match on the tropical island, better known for its beaches and resort hotels.

Officials said Mashaba was unlikely to be restored to his job for the Nations Cup finals after heavy criticism of his squad choices.

MAJOR EMBARRASSMENT

Mashaba left out foreign-based players like Quinton Fortune of English premier league leaders Manchester United and refused to allow other key players like Porto striker Benni McCarthy permission to skip most of the two-week pre-tournament training camp.

This decision led to McCarthy announcing his retirement from international football while Charlton Athletic defender Mark Fish withdrew from the squad for Tunisia.

The football association said Mashaba had been in breach of his contract by not keeping up with the form and injury status of his players.

They cited as an example the selection of George Koumantarakis, the Preston North End striker who has been out with injury since March and not played a single match in the last nine months.

The current crisis around the national side follows on a similar sidelining of Mashaba before last May's friendly match with England, where officials were also angered by his choice of players.

South Africa is one of five African countries bidding to host the 2010 World Cup finals and the latest development is seen as a major embarrassment to the campaign.

01/08/04 10:58 ET

Ohaneze · Post by **Ohaneze** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:21 pm

This problem of chaos is not unique to Nigeria. It is an African thing as illustrated by the South Africans. Not to make excuses for the mess called NFA, but when you open mouth about Nigeria, remember that we are not alone and take am a little easy with the blood cuddling bad belle.

Alaafin · Post by **Alaafin** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:24 pm

Ohaneze, excellent point!

Post by **Waffiman** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:46 pm

shakes is a principled man and I admire his stance but he is in the wrong job.

Ebyboy · Post by **Ebyboy** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:53 pm

Waffiman wrote:shakes is a principled man and I admire his stance but he is in the wrong job.

Mark Fish might not see it that way. Going by your analogy of coaching styles, what mold would Mashaba fit? Fergie or Arsene?

green4life · Post by **green4life** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:54 pm

hopefully, this disorganization will help us when we play them.

Ayo Akinfe · Post by **Ayo Akinfe** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 8:13 pm

green4life wrote:hopefully, this disorganization will help us when we play them.

You forget that Nigeria's disorganisation will also help South Africa.

RudeBoy · Post by **RudeBoy** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 8:15 pm

This is great news! Nigerians are used to organised chaos but I doubt the South Africans are!

Post by **Waffiman** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 8:29 pm

Ebyboy wrote:
Waffiman wrote:shakes is a principled man and I admire his stance but he is in the wrong job.
Mark Fish might not see it that way. Going by your analogy of coaching styles, what mold would Mashaba fit? Fergie or Arsene?

Going by that analogy. None of the above. Why? Shakes will not play Rio when he missed a drug test, he will ban Rio instead.

Fergie nor get morals, so he go play am, while Wenger go ask FA, plus UEFA, plus FIFA permission first.

Alaafin · Post by **Alaafin** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 8:33 pm

RudeBoy wrote:This is great news! Nigerians are used to organised chaos but I doubt the South Africans are!

uhmm, there maybe be some positive to come out from Naija's experience with chaos afterall

Akamoke · Post by **Akamoke** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 9:34 pm

I don't see anything positive about a fellow African nation having chaos especially one of our better organised countries in Africa. :x

realtrouble · Post by **realtrouble** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 12:08 am

Ohaneze wrote:This problem of chaos is not unique to Nigeria. It is an African thing as illustrated by the South Africans. Not to make excuses for the mess called NFA, but when you open mouth about Nigeria, remember that we are not alone and take am a little easy with the blood cuddling bad belle.

Ohaneze bcos other African country are disorganised doesn't mean Nigeria should join the pack.

We Nigerian must aim to be the stnadard of African football.