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GALLERY: Bafana's World Cup agony
VIDEO: Igesund on Serero's axing
Coach Gordon Igesund revealed on Saturday after Bafana's 2014 Soccer World Cup qualifier against Botswana that Serero tried to manipulate his country in order to ensure he was fully fit for Champions League duty with his club Ajax Amsterdam.
“He said he had a tight muscle and he was scared of injuring himself,” Igesund told an extended news conference after Bafana's 4-1 win over the Zebras in Durban.
The problem initially started when Serero allegedly told medical chief Carl Tabane he did not want to play because of the injury. But after being cleared, he informed the doctor there was a “big Champions League game in Holland next week, which he couldn’t afford to miss”.
Serero has subsequently denied Igesund's claims.
This is what Sport24 readers had to say about Serero:
"We as South African and Bafana Bafana supporters support your decision to chase Serero away. Its no use to continue using players that are not interested to play for their country. We have a lot of players that can take this country to another level and willing to wear the colours of the country." - Khaya Sinyana
"Not to be called again, as he has already mentioned that he is tired of getting a callout for meaningless games." - Siyabonga Ncengeni
"I think the coach is right to dismiss him, we have many players who want to play for the country." - Nicholas Tyatya
"This has been very inconsiderate of him. To agree to come down here and then decide he is injured! The boy needs to be fined €10 000 and a tongue lashing. He must remember he is where he is because of the SA PSL." - Lerap145
"Do not call him into the squad anymore. He thinks he is better than everyone." - Thifuniwi Treasure Ramukumba
"Serero can pack n go to stay in Holland. We got enough talent here in mzansi." - Mojo Linda
"It's high time Gordon to put trust in our local players that we support
everyday in our psl league this international players are not worthy to us
because money comes first before their country I wish thulani all the best in
his future." - David Nyakane
"He should have just stayed at the club than to come all the way
to come up with a silly excuse on the 11th hour and playing the coach and medical team for a
fool." - Zamo
"Bafana doesn't need players like him there was Bafana before him and the team won on Saturday wihout him. He must go play in Europe we dont need players him. It's not like he is a special player how many goal has he scored in his career?" - Simon Vilakazi
"He should be excused for the Bafana's squad for a year. He's using our (tax payers) money by being flown here knowing exactly that he won't be taking part in the game..." - Bafana Nhlapho
"Discipline is key to any success. I support the coach and the young man should be suspended." - Peter Buwembo
"Thulani Serero just like Pienaar grow big heads once they ply their trade overseas, truth of the matter is they fail to look at what the best stars of modern soccer do by showing loyalty to their countries." - Vukile Mafilika
"He must face deciplenary for his action. He is pompas but time will tell for the young man and ask veteran Benny for what to a pompas boy." - Lipo Lueto
"If indeed that is his conduct and attitude it is disappointing. The boy's head is from south African soil. He owes may not owe the country anything but it's sad to see him arrogant headed. Ours are those who carry the pride and joy of wearing that jersey, And I fly that flag very high." - Tebs Mat
"I Believe as a coach it was right to remove Serero from the team. It is a honor to play for your country , no one is bigger than your country. Secondly Gordon had to bring on Dane Clate a long time ago .We seriously needed him in the 1st half already. Furthermore a good win for SA." - Marceleno Volkwyn
"I dont see any neccessity for Serero to be punished because afterall even soccer players have to, at some point, make decisions for the betterment of their careers. Let us not forget that honestly we all knew of a huge chance of not going through to the next round of qualifying for the world cup and so I dont think I would have sacrificed playing in my team for a game hat depended on Car to win their game for us to go through. Guys lets remember in europe its very easy for a player to be replaced or sit the whole two seasons on the bench and Thulani is too young to be putting his career at risk. Benny shared the same sentiments when he had to neglect important games in his team only to play Swaziland/Zimbabwe in a friendly. I say lets leave Thulani to live with his decisions and lets field other players, thus this makes players to feel more important than others." - Sdumiroh14
"The team played much better without Thulani. Good decision coach. We don't need people like him in our team." - Jabu Mbatha
"I always say that some of our players in the national team have no patriotism and the will of the nation...." - Sthembiso Simon
"He should be punished severely by being put in the wild....this is insulting, unpatriotic and disgusting if his coach also noted he needed game-time!" - Lebogang Leku
"For
a change a coach that can stand up to this premadonas that want to play for the
country when it suits them." - TRSelemo
"He should not be considered for future Bafana games,unpatriotic!" - Brian Ngobeni
"Must b purnishd lyk Benni,excluded frm national team 4va." - Thabelo Sbaga
"He's paving his down fall. Leave him out of national team. They are better off without him." - Goodman Sbaga
"I believe he should be left out of of the National team until he apologise to the country,then the coach can consider to select him again." - Fezi63
"He must never play for our Country again.since bcoz his playing abroad doesn't mean his better.he turns 2 forget that for him 2 play abroad he was being selected bcoz of playing here in SA.Now he thinks his all that wow?who is he now?this lil boy he must beta think up staight coz all the guys that his playing with abroad once they got that call for their National Team they don't hesitate.we as SA musnt call him again ever n ever." - Rea Mosia
"It is a shame on Thulani Serero to behave the way he did, he is a very good player and I will like to commend the head coach Mr Igesund for the steps he took to set a precedent for Bafanabafana players. I personally think Serero needs to be warned seriously so that this issue must not happen again. I think he(Serero) needs to be called again in future. Lastly I would like to say well done to the Bafanabafana coaching staff the way the handled the matter it was professionally done." - Clement Tshitereke Mathikhi
"Gordon did the right thing by sending him away as he could have infested others with his unbecoming and contagious behaviour. SAFA and Gordon should in future not bother to select him." - Simphiwe Mphondo
"He is a good player but lack commitment and respect for his country, its so bed when things turn up this way as he think country is not important. I will stand by any managers (Coach)decision not call Serero again for any international duty aging. This kind of big headed players turn to spoil the team and pass this attitude to other players as the saying "people with bed influence turn to spoil the whole group". - Sithembele
Thulani Serero has been punished by Gordon Igesund. (Gallo Images)
HAVE YOUR SAY: Who is most to blame for Bafana's failure to reach the World Cup? Is it the players, the coaches or SAFA? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
