I FIND some media analysis of the national squad's performance against Mexico as well as the negative reporting by some Sunday media unfortunate.

It is ill-advised to rate individual players in such an inaccurate and biased manner at this critical stage. It does not assist the national cause.

It is unnecessary to play soccer god in rating players, rather than the team. Remember, players also read newspapers.

There is an unfortunate national anti-Modise sentiment. It is based on personal hatred and the media further fuels this.

If you shed the usual South African "fashion following" and re-watch the game, you will realise that Teko Modise plays very well of late, though he missed a scoring opportunity. But so did Katlego Mphela.

Aaron Mokoena and Tsepo Masilela cost us a goal, but they also had crucial moments. Steven Pienaar did not have a good day. Siphiwe Tshabalala's form was most impressive. He scored, but did not adequately support Masilela.

In spite of all this, we must support the exceptional team effort. There is no need to rate players negatively. We don't even know what instructions the coach gave them. It does not help to dampen the spirit of any of the 23 players now.

All of them have strengths and weaknesses.

There are better ways to write about their weaknesses while maintaining constructive criticism. That's what some Sunday papers did.

This is not chiefs versus Pirates, but a South African squad and we should support them wholeheartedly. After four weeks we can revert to club loyalty or hatred, if at all necessary.

Charley Nkadimeng, Limpopo