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Parreira sabotaged by PSL
08/03/2007 16:36 - (SA)
Johannesburg - With friends like the PSL on the sidelines as he launched what he described as "a new era for Bafana Bafana", the nation's much-acclaimed Brazilian coach, Carlos Alberto Parreira, clearly has no need of enemies.
This much was evident on Thursday when Parreira announced a 20-man squad for what has been described as "a training game" against Swaziland at Ellis Park on Tuesday evening that is devoid of players from rampant, in-form log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
The reason, quite clearly, is that the PSL in their wisdom have allocated the Absa Cup game between Sundowns and Maritzburg United at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Maritzburg to take place within 24 hours of what Parreira had hoped would be an enlightening session for him to start building a Bafana team for the crucial African Nations Cup qualifier against Chad a mere 10 days later.
But without Sundowns players like Calvin Marlin, Vuyo Mere, Benson Mhlongo, Godfrey Sapula and Surprise Moriri, as well as the entire contingent of overseas-based stars, it would be fair to surmise that only one or two of the players who will ultimately face Chad will be present at Ellis Park on Tuesday.
With the choice of eight Absa Cup games to fixture for Wednesday, the PSL have plumped for the least appropriate one when it came to aiding Parreira - a clanger presumably due to ignorance or mismanagement rather than malice.
Optimistic expectation of a large crowd
Be that as it may, however, the Swazi game has been substantially devalued in all aspects by the absence of the Sundowns contingent - with Safa ironically switching the match from Wits University's compact Bidvest Stadium to Ellis Park in the optimistic expectation of a large crowd.
Spectators will be lured to the match by a modest R10 admission fee for the 19:00 kick-off, but if a crowd of some substance does make their way to the Doornfontein Stadium it will surely be more to cast an eye on Parreira and his coaching methods rather than the players he has assembled.
And depleted as the Bafana squad has emerged, no room has been found for Bloemfontein Celtic's Moses Spandeel and Moroka Swallows' Lefa Tsutsulupa, two of the most conspicuous and consistent form players in the PSL this season when not taking into account those from Sundowns.
As for the rest, Parreira has made the best of what can only be described as a bad job - although the squad looks uncannily similar to one which local assistant Pitso Mosimane might have chosen.
Apart from the old hands, players who have worked their way into contention for Bafana through impressive recent form include Moeneeb Josephs, George Mofokeng, Ashraf Hendricks and Mabhuti Khanyeza. But others have been right out of touch and are only there on dubious reputations.
The Swaziland squad was also announced on Thursday and includes players of SuperSport renown in Dennis Masina and Tony Tsabedze.
Asked if he believed the PSL had co-operated fully with Parreira in his objectives for Tuesday's training game, Raymond Hack said he believed the professional league had lived up to their promise to help where they could.
The Safa CEO, however, has a reputation as an arch-appeaser and diplomat and is renowned for shadow boxing his way out of controversial corners.
Hack also confirmed the Bafana squad to face Swaziland would not receive caps and the game would not be recognised as a fully-fledged international by Fifa.
The Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Rowen Fernandez (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Wits University).
Defenders: Jimmy Tau (Kaizer Chiefs), George Mofokeng (SuperSport United),James Madidlane (Bloemfontein Celtic), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates), Innocent Mdledle (Orlando Pirates), Ashraf Hendricks (Wits University), Tsepo Masilela (Benoni Premier United).
Midfielders: Clifford Ngobeni (Ajax Cape Town), Papi Zothwane (Golden Arrows), Mfundo Shumana (Ajax Cape Town), Bryce Moon (Ajax Cape Town), Lebohang Mokoena (Orlando Pirates), Siyabonga Nkosi (Kaizer Chiefs), Daine Klate (SuperSport United), Bernard Parker (Benoni United).
Strikers: Petros Mahlatsi (Bloemfontein Celtic), Thembinkosi Fanteni (Ajax Cape Town), Mabhuti Khanyeza (Golden Arrows).
- SAPA
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