SAFA branded a disgrace

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After failing to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations to be held by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea from January, South Africa’s soccer body has been branded as a 'disgrace' by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.

South Africa's FA (Safa) has been branded a 'disgrace' by s for its reaction to the failure to reach the Cup of Nations.

Niger emerged shock winners of the group having finished level on points with South Africa and Sierra Leone.

Niger had gone through

Safa officials, players and coaches thought goal difference decided who finished first in the group. Bafana Bafana players even celebrated by dancing after a 0-0 home draw with Sierra Leone believing South Africa had qualified for next year's tournament.

Coach Pitso Mosimane admitted that he played for a draw as South Africa ground out a 0-0 result at home to Sierra Leone hoping the team will go through – and they celebrated after the final whistle only to learn later Niger had gone through on the head to head rule

- It is unfortunate we misread the rules of the tournament and played for a draw. There is no way a national team can play to get a draw, Mbalula as quoted by MTN Football

'we are appealing'

- National pride means the players must go out there and die for their country. This is a serious blunder. The rules are in black and white.

- This is a national disgrace; we are not talking here about Kaizer Chiefs or Orlando Pirates but our national team. People came here wearing suits, saying 'we are appealing' (to Caf). You can't argue with Caf, they will put you in your right place, he concluded