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CALLING TIME: Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Moeneeb Josephs

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However, Josephs said his reasons for quitting - passed on by Orlando Pirates teammate Benni McCarthy - had been "misinterpreted".

McCarthy said frustration at being overlooked as the first-choice keeper by Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane had led to Josephs's decision.

"I have no issues with anybody within the Bafana camp, from players to technical staff," said Josephs in a statement yesterday. "This is a personal decision."

Josephs, 32, has been part of the Bafana squad for the past nine years and played 22 times for the national team.

"On each of these occasions I have been proud and honoured to represent our rainbow nation," he said. "It is with a heavy heart and after careful consideration and discussion with my family and manager that I have elected to retire from international football with immediate effect."

Josephs said the retirement would also allow him more time with his family.

"At the age of 32, keeping in mind the injuries that I have sustained, together with my desire to prolong my career, and considering the fantastic young goalkeepers in our country, I believe that it is the correct time to step aside," the goalkeeper said.

"In addition, I have spent very little time with my family in recent years, and I believe this decision will give me the opportunity to do so.

"I would like to thank Safa and all the managerial and coaching staff for the honour and privilege they have afforded me by representing our national soccer team.

"I wish Pitso and the boys all the very best in their upcoming qualifiers."

McCarthy and Pirates caretaker coach Augusto Palacios said they respected the decision of Josephs to quit international soccer.

"Moeneeb is our teammate, we support him," said McCarthy.

Sowetan has learnt that Josephs is scheduled to meet Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza to discuss the matter.

Mosimane has asked Josephs to explain his reason for quitting in writing before the two could meet to discuss his retirement.

Comments

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Thu Jun 20 11:23:13 SAST 2013 ::

May 24, 2012

shakashaka

Josephs did'nt you know that as prof footballer at times you will be away from your family. That is the life of prof footballer. You are not even abroad but you need more time with your family. What about the like of Pienaar, Radebe, Bennie who have been away for very long time?

The only reason you retire is because you personal interest of being number1 are bigger than that of a country. Your are selfish finish and klaar. We have seen so many players around the world who never turned their backs on their countries who are older than you think of that goalkeeper from Egypt, the former captain of Egypt, Regobert Song, that goalkeeper of Paraguay, the list is endless. You think you are bigger than the country
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May 24, 2012

Lungu

Minus one my tax money is safe, you are uselles like all don't represent us at all, please Pitso you should quit too. Guys we have no room for moorons like Moneeb so Bennie we have a very large pool of players in this country who derserve to wear our national coulers with pride. Now he is to talk to Khoza why? Because he Khoza will give him the number one position in our national team, our country is run by thugs.
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May 24, 2012

tpaz

chicken out
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May 24, 2012

LOVEU

joseph be a man dont chicken out
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May 24, 2012

Kakapress

Ek hoor jou my ma se kind en ek is saam met jou. I wonder what all the haters are going to say now that you have explained your story. Your family is very important and must come before everybody else and I support you, moreover that there are young shotstoppers like dai een van Supersport who will take your place.
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May 24, 2012

Sparkish

we don't need you. Go and grow some teeth while you at it you idiot!
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May 24, 2012

Mthondomnande

I feel you bra, i would do da same if i wer u, 9yrs and 22 caps ? nah
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May 24, 2012

ntiki

Childish decision influenced by mafutha man ai this Mcarthy boy is troubling young boys.
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May 24, 2012

TSUTSUMA

Nine years but still no hope of giving you a chance,i now understand why you are calling it a day, no one will understand this sitiuation better than yourself.This is pure baiseness and no amount of time will give you any future hope.Loyalty and patriotism will sometimes allow people to mess with your life. Show me any assistant or deputy (Coach or Minister) who does not want to be in that position and get the proper recognotion. Why should you always one's reject.

You will not understand until it happens to you personally.
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May 24, 2012

HALFWISE

It's too late for damage controll now josephine, i still believe MacFatty's version of the story.
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