Unpatriotic and a national disgrace

The South African Under-23 soccer team, which returned from the Tokyo Olympic Games after a pathetic display, is a true antithesis of the excellence we all expected.

As reported elsewhere in this newspaper today, the team’s camp has been rocked by several incidents of ill-discipline, including dagga consumption, which led to some members of the team being sent back home before the tournament officially started.

It became a nightmare outing for the team as they became the tournament’s walkovers. It is difficult to imagine how the country would be able to build a reliable national soccer team when its younger stars hardly inspire confidence with the lack of discipline, which obviously was the main reason behind their mediocre performance.

The South African Football Association must institute an open investigation and not attempt to sweep this shameful conduct under the carpet.