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SOUTH AFRICA’S COACH LAMENTS BAFANA BEACH PICTURES PRIOR TO FLOP IN SEYCHELLES

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The dropping of two valuable points by South Africa in their Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifying duel with Seychelles, is giving the team a nightmare.

According to Sport24 in South Africa, Bafana Bafana coach, Stuart Baxter has admitted that the decision to post pictures of the squad relaxing on a beach in Seychelles prior to their 2019 AFCON qualifier was not the best.

Bafana Bafana players relaxing ahead of their game in Seychelles

The pictures posted by the official Bafana Bafana Twitter account came back to haunt the team after being held to a disappointing 0-0 statemate at the Linite Stadium on Tuesday.

The men’s national team – who are much-ridiculed by fans – after a current dark period of failing on the international stage fell short against the Seychelles who are ranked 189th in the world.

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Baxter admitted that the decision to take the pictures was not the best with fans accusing the players of not approaching the game in the correct manner.

“Our hotel was on the beach‚ so when guys went for a walk they went straight to the beach‚” Baxter said after arriving back in SA on Wednesday.

“I don’t think that needs to be exaggerated‚ maybe their choice‚ judgment or timing was not the best but I will definitely say those pictures were taken in between meetings and training.”

The 65-year-old though, denied that his team underestimated their opponents after pulling off a convincing 6-0 win at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.

“The lads’ attitude in the dressing room was spot on because we knew that they will be fighting tooth and nail and they will try to frustrate us.

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“I honestly don’t think the boys were complacent‚ they were ready for it.

“It was very frustrating‚ very difficult but they kept going and we just did not have enough quality on that pitch at the right times.

Bafana Bafana dropped to second spot in Group E behind Nigeria after the Super Eagles recorded a 3-2 win over Libya.

Baxter’s men host Nigeria next on November 16 at the FNB Stadium.

 

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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