The performance of our national soccer team reflected their nickname in isiZulu.

The performance of our national soccer team reflected their nickname in isiZulu.

They were boys and not men, as the Zambians showed them a thing or two.

Too much was said about the performance against Scotland (European teams have the tendency to allow dribbling teams all the space in the middle, waiting for counterattack opportunities, whereas teams in Africa and South America never allow that space) and I think it got into the heads of our players.

I really hate to blame Carlos Alberto Parreira for this loss, but he has to take some of the blame.

All four goals South Africa has conceded have come from exactly the same situation - that is from a midfielder or defender making a 50-50 pass that puts the recipient under immense pressure.

It happened in Congo. Bradley Carnell did not receive as much flack as he should have.

He gifted Zambia a goal and then should thank Collins Mbesuma for not punishing us any further.

There was no penetration in the midfield and when chances were there to shoot, the shooting was woeful.

However, I think this was good for South Africa.

Len Anderson Johannesburg