”Eish, what can we say?” was the mantra of Bafana Bafana players as they pushed their way through a crowd of booing supporters at Johannesburg International airport on Wednesday on their return from a goalless performance in Egypt at the African Cup of Nations.
Sailor Tshabalala, whose mother, Dikeledi Tshabalala, had led a spirited welcoming committee, said: ”We lost, what can we say?”
The first two Bafana Bafana players to walk into the international arrivals terminal were greeted with resounding boos.
”We expected this kind of welcome,” said Bloemfontein Celtics midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi.
”The people are disappointed because we did not perform well. We did not win even one game,” striker Siyabona Nomvete said.
Although the crowd was disappointed, many still pushed forward and patted the players on their backs, saying: ”Hard luck.”
The team’s second goalkeeper, Avril Phadi, said: ”There is still hope. What we need is for the South African people to support us.” — Sapa