'Former Bafana capt childish'

2006-01-06 21:33

Schalk Jonker

Cape Town - It was childish of former Bafana Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena to withdraw from the national group only two weeks before the start of the African Nations Cup in Egypt.

Neil Tovey, who led Bafana Bafana to victory in the tournament in 1995, poured out his heart on Mokoena's controversial decision.

Mokoena was replaced as captain by Sibusiso Zuma after a vote taken by the players at a practice camp.

The Blackburn Rovers defender in the English Premier League arrived late for the practice camp and was then informed by coach Ted Dumitru that he was no longer the captain.

Mokoena was very upset at this decision and withdrew from the group immediately. He said he was no longer prepared to play under Dumitru as coach.

"It was childish of him, to say the least," Tovey said. I had expected more of him. One simply does not do things that way. A real captain does not desert his team that way. It says a lot about him."

In a statement Mokoena said the trust between the coach and himself has been irreparably harmed.

"The fact that he withdrew from the group at the 11th hour is typical of his form at the moment," Tovey added. The player is struggling to hold his own in the starting line-up for Blackburn and mostly joins from the replacement bench."

It had been Dumitru's intention to ensure that Mokoena arrive early enough so he could let the player work on his fitness by playing in the warm-up games.

Tovey added that it was a pity that playing for one's country meant so little these days.

South Africa have been drawn in Group C and Bafana Bafana's opening match is on January 22 against Guinea in Alexandra.

Tunisia and Zambia are the other two teams in the group.

- Die Burger