Goal - Thulani Serero Pic: Philip Maeta/Gallo Images
Serero informed the South African Football Association (Safa) that he will not honour his call up unless he is guaranteed of a started berth against Senegal.
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“I think the boy has been poisoned. He’s good but he’s advised by wrong people,” ex-Bafana midfielder Linda Buthelezi told SowetanLive.
“This is not the first time we see players refusing to play for Bafana, so we should not act surprised. It may also be that the player doesn’t get on well with the coach [Baxter].”
Former Jomo Cosmos striker Phil Masinga labelled Serero as “unprofessional”.
“There can’t be guarantees to play. He must compete for his place and show patriotism. In the national team you have to be patient because the country has many players.”