Bafana jeered at JHB airport

2006-02-01 11:32

Johannesburg - The first two Bafana Bafana players to emerge at Johannesburg International Airport on Wednesday were greeted with thunderous boos.

Lebogang Mokoena and Joseph Makhaya put their heads down and police formed a protective barrier for them as they pushed their baggage trolleys through the crowd swirling in on them at international arrivals.

"Eish, what can we say," was the mantra of Bafana Bafana players as they pushed their way through a crowd of booing supporters at Johannesburg International Airport on Wednesday.

"We expected this kind of welcome," said Bloemfontein Celtics midfielder Siyabonga Nkosi.

"The people are disappointed because we did not perform well. We did not win even one game," the team's striker Siyabona Nomvete said.

The team's second goalkeeper Avril Phadi said: "There is still hope. What we need is for the South African people to support us."

Sailor Tshabalala's mother Dikeledi Tshabalala and her family had managed a brief spirited ululation before they were drowned out by the angry crowd.

Goalless performance at the Nations Cup

Tshabalala and the rest of Bafana Bafana touched down at Johannesburg International Airport at 10:00 after their goalless performance at the African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

However, airport shuttle bus driver Colbert Makatu said: "Just tell Bafana Bafana I am very much disappointed because they didn't even show us any foundation which we were expecting for 2010."

A small crowd, including porters, had gathered at the international arrivals hall. A large contingent of public order policemen stood waiting outside.

"We are waiting for the soccer team because the community is angry with them... I don't know why," said a policeman with a twinkle in his eye.

The team was expected to hold a press conference later and it was hoped they would throw light on their last-minute pay demands.

A fan at the airport said the SA Football Association (Safa) should be blamed for Bafana's poor performance.

"You cannot change coaches every now and then and expect good results. Safa must appoint one coach and stick to him," said John Machabaphala.

- SAPA