The South African Sports Minister, Fikile Mbalula, has referred to the countryââ¬â¢s national football team as ââ¬Åuseless bunch of losersâ⬠after they lost to Nigeria in the group stages of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
He said that the performance of the Bafana Bafana on Sunday, in its 3-1 defeat to Nigeriaââ¬â¢s Super Eagles, which led to their exit from the tournament, was ââ¬Ånot even lacklustre, it was useless,â⬠and a ââ¬Ådisasterââ¬.
He told a news conference that the squad is ââ¬Åjust a bunch of unbearable, useless individuals.ââ¬
Although, the Minister noted that South Africaââ¬â¢s problem was that of organisation rather than lack of talents, he however said ââ¬ÅWe indeed have a crisis of monumental proportions.
ââ¬ÅThat mediocrity that was displayed yesterday we must never wake up to that again.
ââ¬ÅI felt like just standing up and walking out.â⬠he said, while expressing his anger while watching the game.
ââ¬ÅI did not even go to the dressing room; I did not even call them.ââ¬
Hosts South Africa needed only a draw to advance to the quarter finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for African players based on the African continent.
Nigeria now proceeds into the quarter finals as runner-up to Group A winners, Mali.