The Bafana Bafana squad announced on Wednesday by coach Ted Dumitru for the African Nations Cup tournament will play warm-up matches against a composite Premier Soccer League (PSL) XI on December 29 in Johannesburg and January 6 in Durban — but while the game at the coast will be open to the public, Johannesburg soccer fans will be shut out from the match at the Johannesburg Stadium.
The curious anomaly might arouse a degree of indignation in Gauteng, although PSL general manager Dan Leboa explained on Wednesday that ”the Durban game is viewed as a farewell to Bafana before they embark for Egypt” — which might prompt Johannesburgers to complain they are not being afforded the opportunity of saying goodbye to Bafana as well.
And making the issue curiouser and curiouser is the earlier statement by Dumitru that he did not want the public at either of the games.
PSL CEO Trevor Phillips also claimed that Dumitru had suggested Orlando Pirates coach Kosta Papic and Golden Arrows coach Khabo Zondo take charge of the PSL XI.
But the Bafana coach denied this explicitly at the squad announcement, saying he had ”nothing to do” with the appointment of the PSL coaches.
And if this does not conjure up a picture of the Mad Hatter in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, nothing will.
Dumitru’s provisional squad of 26, conspicuous for the surprise recall after years in the international wilderness of Greek-based central defender Pierre Issa, will be reduced to 23 players shortly before the departure of Bafana for Egypt on January 8 and 9.
But the Bafana coach emphasised that nothing is cast in stone about the final selection.
”It’s still possible for someone not in the 26 to make a big impression and force his way into the final squad,” said Dumitru.
And with Delron Buckley, Arthur Zwane and Tsweu Mokoro only three of the surprise omissions — Ajax Amsterdam’s Steven Pienaar is out because of an apparent serious ankle injury — something else of an unexpected nature is on the cards. — Sapa