The
South African Football Association (SAFA) condemns in the strongest of terms,
the attack last night on the Zambian football team bus by two youths who have
since been apprehended by the police.
The
incident happened as the Zambian national team bus was leaving FNB Stadium
where they had just won the Nelson Mandela Challenge after beating Bafana
Bafana 1-0.
Two
youths, aged 12 and 13 were immediately detained and are being held at the
Booysens Police Station and investigations in a case of malicious damage to
property have been opened. The security around the team was the high level
security that the SAPS and Traffic Police provides to all visiting teams.
SAFA
President, Kirsten Nematandani who has since apologised personally to his
Zambian counterpart, Kalusha Bwalya reiterated his disappointment at the
incident.
“Kalusha
understood that this was an isolated incident. Our relationship with Zambia
goes beyond the sporting fields. South Africa and Zambia have a bond which
dates back to the days of apartheid in which most of our fellow South Africans
were harboured by our Zambian counterparts,” said Nematandani.
“Such
an embarrassing behaviour is alien to the South African Football Association
and damages the good name of our association and country. We do not want at any
time to be associated with these scoundrels of society,” said an irate
Nematandani. “Such people do not belong to the football family and once the
investigations have been concluded, the police should send out a strong message
against future perpetrators.”
AFCON
2013 CEO, Mvuzo Mbebe also condemned last night’s attack but added such
isolated incident should not in any way harm the Africa Cup of Nations
preparations which he said were going on smoothly.
“We
are disturbed by this incident which is totally an isolated one. South African
fans do not behave like this and are known to take defeat in the good spirit.
“This
country has hosted numerous international events and we have not experienced
such a conduct,” said Mbebe.
