Bafana's poor display high on the agenda

THE continued embarrassment of the nation by the once feared Bafana Bafana must be arrested.

This is one of the resolutions following a meeting convened by Sport and Recreation Minister Fikile Mbalula, Sascoc and Safa in Pretoria yesterday.

In a statement released yesterday after the meeting, the three parties said: "We all agreed to put football ahead of individual interests.

"We have all agreed that Bafana Bafana's performance on the field of play must improve, and Safa have plans to ensure the turn-around strategy is implemented. Safa also briefed us on their long- term development plans. The plans took into account immediate medium term and long term interventions.

"Safa also confirmed that discussions are afoot with the Premier Soccer League to ensure that the players are developed and made available for national duty.

"We have agreed that structure, discipline and proper plans will assist us in changing the performance level of Bafana Bafana."

Bafana Bafana's failure to qualify for the 2012 Afcon finals was also discussed, including the misreading of the rules by the Safa leadership after a 0-0 goalless draw with Sierra Leone.

"The (Safa) leadership further briefed the meeting about the Fifa investigation into allegations of match-fixing. The matter is sub judice," the statement read.

It was also announced at the meeting that the national women's team, Banyana Banyana, will play against Ghana as part of the Human Rights Day celebrations on March 21. Orlando Stadium is earmarked to host the game.