South African soccer supporters have called out SAFA for inviting several Bafana Bafana players, who did not make the FIFA World Cup squad, to the official send-off event.
On Wednesday, 27 May, coach Hugo Broos announced the 60-man group that will depart for Mexico over the weekend.
The event, attended by Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie and took place at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
WATCH: SNUBBED BAFANA PLAYERS LEFT OUT OF WORLD CUP SQUAD
On social media, Hugo Broos’s controversial selection of the Bafana squad for the FIFA World Cup has been trending news.
So too have several clips of players who were not selected.
In one clip, the group of six players, including Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Peterson, are seen backstage as they learn their fate that they did not make the cut.
Later, the group are invited to sit inside and watch the 26-man group stand on stage and receive the well-wishes of both the president and the Minister of Sport.
In another clip, Broos comes over to seemingly console the group, as does Bafana captain Ronwen Williams.
Take a look…
‘HUMILIATION’, SAY SOUTH AFRICAN FANS
The clips have attracted a lot of backlash on social media, with many Bafana Bafana supporters expressing their disapproval.
SABC journalist Sophie Mokoena tweeted: “Why bring these players to the function when they knew very well that they are not going to be included? This was just a terrible idea”
In another tweet, she added: “The officials of @SAFA_net and the Sports Department must apologise. This was just not right. There was no need to bring these players here. This is just humiliation”.
Sports fan Mama Joy tweeted: “It’s hard and painful not to be selected, I know the pain”.
Here’s what others had to post about it…
@Siya_homiey: “What was the point of bringing all of them?”
@Mdange_KaTshiw: “So, no one at SAFA saw anything wrong by inviting players who are not going to the World Cup, at the Union Building tonight? You give them Bafana merchandise, knowing fully well you are not taking them to USA/Mexico in June?”
@Gretchen_Ndou: “ SAFA really ruined my day yoh. This is exactly why some of us never wanted that preliminary squad in the first place. Imagine calling up players, giving them hope, only to embarrass them like that in public”