Sierra Leone Coach John Keister Blames Visa Delay Issue for Thumping by Bafana Bafana

• Sierra Leone coach John Keister was not a happy man following their match against South Africa
• The Englishman watched on as Bafana Bafana thumped the Leone Stars 4-0 at Soccer City in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon
• Keister attributed the heavy loss to visa delays for the squad and management which supposedly messed up their preparations for the match

Sierra Leone coach John Keister has explained why his team was hammered by South Africa on Saturday.

Bafana Bafana hammered the Leone Stars 4-0 at Soccer City in Johannesburg.

According to SowetanLIVE, Keister said:

“[I'm] Just disappointed with the performance, but whenever you go, you have to prepare for it and we can’t be coming against one of the better teams in the continent and not prepare at all and not have a single preparation.

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“I had players coming from their clubs staying in hotels overseas waiting for visas to get here so we can start preparing. I had to leave Freetown (Sierra Leone's capital) to come to SA because I have a British passport, otherwise I would not be here.

“How can you judge players around the predicament we have been in in the last week or so trying to get to SA? Players came in on Friday and had an hour training session, what can you do in an hour?"

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos admits Themba Zwane mistake

Bafana Bafana coach had nothing but praise for the prodigal son Themba Zwane.

The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder was in fine form for the national team on his return as the side thumped Sierre Leone 4-0 on Saturday. Broos had previously stated that he would no longer form part of his plans going forward, but had his head turned by Zwane's strong form.

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The 70-year-old Belgian said:

“I will also mention – I am not a coach who likes special mentions of players – but what Themba Zwane did today was great. It was maybe, hopefully, the missing link in our team. A guy who can keep the ball, dish out the passes and can score. So, I am very happy with it. It took a long time (for him to get into the team).

“But you know with my philosophy, it is youngsters first and then we will see. But again everyone has to appreciate that I changed my mind. This is not easy for a coach when for four months he says ‘no, no, no’ and then suddenly (changes his mind)… But okay, I am not afraid to do that and Themba shows today he deserves his position in the team.”