SAFA yesterday denied that they have scant regard for the Cosafa Cup.
SAFA yesterday denied that they have scant regard for the Cosafa Cup.
Bafana Bafana manager Sipho Nkumane said this was not the case after they sent several inactive players to the tournament currently taking place in Zimbabwe.
"We received the fixtures late and there was not much we could do," said Nkumane of the annual Southern African soccer tournament.
"We looked at the league programme and realised that taking Bafana to participate would disrupt the TV contract that has already been signed as to which matches will be broadcast," he said.
"The Cosafa Cup is of utmost importance. This is where some of our finest talent like Teko Modise, Papi Zothwane and Moeneeb Josephs were first given a taste of international football back in 2007."
The team representing the country at the tourney includes talented but inactive players Manqoba "Shakes" Ngwenya (Mamelodi Sundowns), George Lebese (Kaizer Chiefs) and Joseph "Dukuduku" Makhanya (Orlando Pirates).
The squad lost a friendly against minnows Namibia last weekend.
Some observers think the tournament would have been ideal for Bafana to rebuild their confidence after a dismal spell under Joel Santana.
Cosafa snub denied
SAFA yesterday denied that they have scant regard for the Cosafa Cup.
SAFA yesterday denied that they have scant regard for the Cosafa Cup.
Bafana Bafana manager Sipho Nkumane said this was not the case after they sent several inactive players to the tournament currently taking place in Zimbabwe.
"We received the fixtures late and there was not much we could do," said Nkumane of the annual Southern African soccer tournament.
"We looked at the league programme and realised that taking Bafana to participate would disrupt the TV contract that has already been signed as to which matches will be broadcast," he said.
"The Cosafa Cup is of utmost importance. This is where some of our finest talent like Teko Modise, Papi Zothwane and Moeneeb Josephs were first given a taste of international football back in 2007."
The team representing the country at the tourney includes talented but inactive players Manqoba "Shakes" Ngwenya (Mamelodi Sundowns), George Lebese (Kaizer Chiefs) and Joseph "Dukuduku" Makhanya (Orlando Pirates).
The squad lost a friendly against minnows Namibia last weekend.
Some observers think the tournament would have been ideal for Bafana to rebuild their confidence after a dismal spell under Joel Santana.