I wish Bafana Bafana could play South African football: Da Gama

Highlands Park Coach Owen Da Gama says he wishes that Bafana Bafana could play South African football.

Bafana were not convincing at the recent Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) where they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by Nigeria last week.

They won two matches against host nation Egypt and Namibia and lost three times to Ivory Coast, Morocco and Nigeria.

Many pundits felt that Bafana coach Stuart Baxter was conservative in his approach.

Da Gama also paid tribute to former Orlando Pirates striker Marc Batchelor who died after he was shot several times in his car outside his home in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

He was one of the few players who played for Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Moroka Swallows.

Da Gama alongside Assistant Coach Allan Freese played with him at the now-defunct Dynamos in the 90s.

Meanwhile, Highlands Park held their end of the season awards in Johannesburg on Tuesday night.

The team did well to finish in the top eight in their first season after being promoted to the elite league.

Star player Mothobi Mvala, who was also the top goal scorer for the club, won the Player of the Season Award and he was very delighted.

Other awards: Player’s Player of the Year – Lucky Boy Mokoena; Young Player of the Year – Sphiwe Mahlangu; Chairman’s Award – Lindokuhle Mbatha. – Report by Vincent Sitsula