MagRush writer | September 5, 2019 

SAFA (South African Football Association) President Danny Jordaan briefing the media this evening said that Madagascar sent a letter that they will not be coming to SA because of ongoing developments in the country.

South Africa fought so hard to emerge from international banishment during the apartheid years to part-take at this level again. Jordaan emphasized that SA is bound by geographic position to create social solidarity and continental cohesion in Africa. 

Thus, it should play a pivotal role at all times to preserve the tenuous and dynamic international relations matters. He said many countries voluntarily offered to play SA upon returning to the international fold and everything must be done not to reverse the gains made.

Games – Zambia and Madagascar – were called off as a result of events that took hold in SA and SAFA condemns the violence in the strongest terms.

On the Zambia withdrawal, Jordaan reiterated that the game will be rescheduled once the conditions are conducive for international football. In the meantime, they will continue to work with other countries to resolve the impasse.

At the tail-end of his statement, he said it is very sad for all the players selected, some who traveled from overseas, to face the weekend without a game to play after training hard and looked forward to playing.