Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki with players during the South African national men's soccer team training session at Orlando Stadium on September 05, 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The crisis-struck SA Football Association (Safa) have decided to release the Bafana Bafana players from camp after xenophobic attacks in the country scuppered the national team’s preparations for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The decision was taken after Madagascar withdrew on Thursday from the international friendly match against Bafana which was scheduled for Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.

Safa, in an unprecedented move that saw the organisation call a 7pm media briefing, said they decided to release the squad after a meeting with the players and technical staff

“We want to reiterate that as Safa we totally condemn these acts of violence in respect of the xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans as well as the criminal looting of businesses,” said Jordaan at the briefing.

“Safa has consistently and strong condemned the xenophobic attacks and the wanton attacks of foreign nationals. We reiterate our call that these criminals must be arrested and dealt with harshly.

“We call on all footballers and sportspersons to join hands and unequivocally condemn any violation of the rights of fellow Africans in our country as well as xenophobic attacks."

Bafana were initially scheduled to play against Zambia in Lusaka but the Football Association of Zambia (Faz) called off the game on Tuesday as a result of the violence in South Africa.

The Zambians pulled out just as Bafana were finalising their travel arrangements to fly out to Lusaka.

The violence in the country also resulted in South African businesses coming under siege in Lusaka in what is believed to be retaliation for the xenophobic attacks.

South African businesses in Lusaka closed their doors on Wednesday following protests by Zambian students as a security measure to avoid looting.

Safa moved swiftly and a secured Madagascar as next opponents for Bafana. But the Indian Ocean islanders also pulled out at the eleventh hour as South Africa crumbles under the backlash from other African countries.

It is chaotic start of a new era under newly appointed coach Molefi Ntseki, who will not be pleased that after his first assignment was scuppered, albeit under circumstances beyond his and Safa’s control.

The cancellation of the fixture puts Ntseki and Bafana in a shaky position ahead of crucial back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations games against Ghana in Accra and at home against Sudan in November.

This September 2 to 10 international friendly window would have provided Bafana with much-needed game time ahead of the November qualifiers.

But all is not lost for Ntseki and his team.

Safa acting chief executive said they are already in contact with potential opponents and the organisation will strive to secure opponents for the next coming Fifa sanctioned international friendly window from October 7 to 15 before the crucial November 2021 Afcon qualifiers.

“In October we have two opportunities to play two friendly matches. It is still some way but already we are speaking with some countries and we are trying to finalise,” said Paul.

“Hopefully over the next couple of days we will be able to release those fixtures.”

https://www.reportminds.com/2019/09/bafana-bafana-players-released-from.html

Let them play bayana bayana instead .FTC dedicated to my wife and girlfriends facing Exponza in Sorta frika

South Africa vs Supersport United... wouldn't be a bad idea for a friendly match

Una never see something...Until you lots become the forsaken children of Africa, na that time una eye go clear. Ndi Ara

.

izzou:


If the South African Football Association can successfully arrange a friendly match with Nigeria, everyone will love them back

And they should play it in Nigeria............ Rivers State precisely.

K

izzou:


If the South African Football Association can successfully arrange a friendly match with Nigeria, everyone will love them back

Bad guy..so naija fans go fit hammer them with cane..

xenophobia news is gradually ending. where did we stop with Buhari

South Africa should be isolated by the rest of Africa until they make an official and public apology to Africa, especially to black Africa.
#IsolateSouthAfrica
#XenophobiaInSouthAfrica

Not nice... They should have just played 5 a side within.

Isok.
Let them over here; we in Abuja will come out in mass to welcome them.
Free accommodation and correct Punna all for free...

thunder wey go fire those bastard south African hoodlums perpetuating this menace still dey do press up!!!!

South Africa una never see anything the battle just started.

Good let them know that there are consequences

God punish South Africa

Jalabase:
*What happened in South Africa is Black VS Black crime, not xenophobia*

*XENOPHOBIA is the fear of Foreigners*

Watch and educate yourself

*©️JALABASE MEDIA✊*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmN7KEud6QU

Can you define who a foreigner is? Let's start from there

omoiyamayor:
Let them play bayana bayana instead

Obere4u:


Can you define who a foreigner is? Let's start from there

Are you minding the goat ?

Gradually e don dey happen. Even the caf qualifiers must not be played there due to fear of attacks against visiting fans. Infact south africa national teams should be removed from participating in any african sports. Let no african nation play them. Nonsense.

NotFarFrom:
And they should play it in Nigeria............ Rivers State precisely.

No borno precisely

Jalabase:
*What happened in South Africa is Black VS Black crime, not xenophobia*

*XENOPHOBIA is the fear of Foreigners*

Watch and educate yourself

*©️JALABASE MEDIA✊*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmN7KEud6QU

A black man in another black mans country is not a foreigner abi?
Smh

This xenophobia bullcrap became a joke taking too far if everyone had spoken out like this agains this animals wen it started then this issue might have been history africa with poor mindset always waiting to do damage control instead of immediate action

NotFarFrom:
And they should play it in Nigeria............ Rivers State precisely.

leave that thing... Lagos is the best for them.... Shitta boys opposite the stadium are waiting for them.

NotFarFrom:
And they should play it in Nigeria............ Rivers State precisely.

Lol

Rivers state people have not entered reprisal mode surprisingly.

Really

omoiyamayor:
Let them play bayana bayana instead

or banana Cassava

Omoslim26:


No borno precisely

Borno dey learn compared to wetin dey await them from the Rivers youth whip.