TUESDAY, 12.30PM:
BAFANA BAFANA midfielder John “Shoes” Moshoeu has criticised the South African Football Association after two players who were found guilty of indiscipline were sent home from the World Cup in disgrace.
Midfielders Brendan Augustine and Naughty Mokoena were sent home after they defied coach Philippe Troussier’s orders, and went nightclubbing until the early hours of Sunday morning.
A livid Troussier gave the two players their marching orders three days before the team play Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in a crucial match to advance to the second round of the competition.
Moshoeu said he believes it was not necessary to send the players home, adding, “it is not acceptable to send them home like this”. He said the matter could have been dealt with at the training camp, and said that the players could have been fined instead of being sent home.
Sports Minister Steve Tshwete on Monday also put his boot into the fray, saying South Africa should not have a “foreign” coach, and that he believes a local candidate can be found.
Meanwhile, the South Africans are looking beyond their match against Saudi Arabia and are focusing on meeting Nigeria in the next round.
The South Africans may have some problems in Wednesday’s match, as the loss of Augustine, Mokoena and Philemon Masinga (who is injured) has weakened the side considerably. The South African squad now numbers 19, with three of these players specialist goalkeepers, leaving Troussier with 16 players from which to field a side.