MBALULA STANDS FIRM ON LOSERS
Mbalula won ’ t apologise for flaying Bafana
SPORT Minister Fikile Mbalula has urged people not to create the impression that he has a problem with President Jacob Zuma over the dismal performance of Bafana against Nigeria on Sunday.
This comes after Mbalula, known for shooting from the hip, called Bafana a bunch of losers and accused them of a useless display against the Super Eagles, especially in the first half.
The SABC yesterday said Zuma contradicted Mbalula, saying he did not agree with the utterances of the former ANC Youth League president that Bafana were an embarrassment to the country.
Mbalula said: “I was informed by people working in the Presidency that the interview with President Zuma was done on Sunday, soon after the game against Nigeria. I spoke at the media briefing on Monday morning and not the other way round.
“It is not true that President Zuma was interviewed after me. I understand the president must always be there to unite the nation. Please, don’t play Zuma against Mbalula, there are no issues between the president and me. He has never even asked me to apologise. I know what I’m talking about, we’ve no crisis here.”
Mbalula reiterated that Bafana ’ s defeat by Nigeria has embarrassed many peo- ple who love the beautiful game. “All the other 15 countries came here for the African Nations Championship with no-name-brand players, we selected our best players who are earning far more than those from the foreign teams.
“If we fielded an Under-23 side and the Under-20 team that won the Cosafa Cup in Lesotho with Bra Shakes Mashaba in December, I would understand and would have been the first one to say, ‘ let us support them to gain more experience’.
“The general pride of the country was abandoned. I repeat: they are a bunch of losers and were useless in the game against Nigeria. I’m also disappointed with coach Gordon Igesund for being ultra defensive in the performance of the team.
“I have a lot of respect for Gordon, but he went from one radio station to the other being too defensive. I won ’ t apologise for condemning mediocrity.”
“After the game, I said this is not the (goalkeeper) Moneeb (Josephs) I know. I know Moeneeb to be one of the greatest, but on Sunday he was not the same person. I love him, but as a man he has to understand it was not one of his days.”