JOHANNESBURG Defending champions South Africa say that they will not send their strongest side to this years COSAFA Challenge Cup soccer tournament, to be staged in Harare and Bulawayo between October 17 and November 1 this year.South Africa has traditionally given little importance to the regional tournament, which brings together national soccer teams from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states and the countrys soccer governing body says that things will not be any different this year.
An official with the South African Football Association (SAFA) last week told The Zimbabwean On Sunday that instead of Bafana Bafana, they would instead send a developmental side known as Amabinneplaas to the forthcoming tournament.
Amabinneplaas is a squad comprising players usually picked from the countrys National First Division (NFD) and those from the ABSA Premiership who struggle to make the starting 11 at their clubs.
This is a developmental tournament, so we will send our developmental side, said SAFA chief executive officer Raymond Hack.
South Africa, who won the tournament last year under the tutelage of Serame Letsoaka, are set to kickoff their bid to retain the trophy in the quarterfinals stage, where they meet Angola at Barbourfields Stadium on October 26.
Hack last week announced the appointment of former Lamontville Golden Arrows coach Simon Ngomane and former Bloemfontein Celtic mentor Khabo Zondo to lead the development team.
Last years hosts South Africa won the tournament when they overcame Mozambique in the final played in the countrys Mpumalanga province, and will be hoping to retain the trophy this year.
The coaches said they would only announce the squad after their meeting with SAFA to formalise their appointment.
Post published in: Football