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Safa delegation to finalise logistics

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

Ramatsiyi Moholoa

A two-man Safa delegation leaves for Ghana today to finalise logistics for Bafana Bafana during the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The delegation is made up of Sipho Nkumane, Bafana Bafana manager, and chef Jozef "Jeff" Schuemarans.

"We decided to travel to Ghana after the LOC (Local Organising Committee of the 2008 Afcon) identified a hotel in Tamale for Bafana Bafana," said Nkumane.

"They identified a hotel on our way to the airport when we had gone there on an inspection tour in December. The problem is that we did not see the hotel.

"We are taking Jeff along because he could not travel with us in December because of personal commitments. The other thing is that the hotel had not been confirmed."

Nkumane said they will also meet the LOC to talk about issues relating to training facilities and transport for the duration of the tournament.

"When we were in Ghana, they were still in the process of completing the construction of the training facilities for the tournament.

"As for transport, we are well aware that the LOC has organised domestic charter flights for all the participating clubs on their arrival in Ghana.

"The flights can also accommodate 35 people, which is a bit of a challenge for us because we have slightly more people going to Ghana with the team.

"The other thing that we need to engage the LOC on is the transport arrangements for Bafana Bafana for our game in Kumasi against Senegal."

Following reports from England attributed to midfielder Steven Pienaar that he will ask Safa to allow him to join Bafana Bafana later in Ghana, Nkumane said: "Steve has not said anything to us.

"As I'm talking to you now, all the players are expected in camp on January 5."

Nkumane also announced that Bafana Bafana will fly directly to Accra on January 19.

That will be after playing two warm-up games against neighbours Mozambique (January 13) and Botswana (January 16) in Durban.

"There will also be a Bafana Bafana sending off function in Durban on the evening of January 16 organised by the team's sponsors," said Nkumane.

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