Cape Town – Luther Singh received the brunt of the blame for Bafana Bafana’s embarrassing exit in the COSAFA Cup after an embarrassing defeat to Madagascar at the quarter-final stage.
Stuart Baxter’s men crashed out of the tournament at the first hurdle after to a lowly Madagascar side 4-3 on penalties after the scores remained goalless after 90 minutes.
South Africa at one stage were leading 3-1 in the shoot-out when efforts by Jamie Webber and Luther Singh were saved with Madagascar converting their remaining penalties.
Luther Singh summed up Bafana’s attitude in the game when he strolled up nonchalantly to hit a tame effort that was duly saved by the goalkeeper.
When trying to coolly slot home a penalty like this the player has more to lose than gain. If Singh had to score he would have shown more importantly to himself how good he was. But miss and you are at risk of looking like a fool and costing your team.
The young striker was clearly thinking about himself first before his team and the many fans who came out to support Bafana Bafana.
Singh received strong criticism on social media with fans questioning his attitude and accusing him of being arrogant since a move to Europe.
???? Still can’t believe this ‘Luther Singh Penalty’. #BafanaBafana striker Luther Singh owes South Africa ???? an apology! #DiskiFans #COSAFACup pic.twitter.com/eOSmYEVJlq
— EDITOR™ (@diskifanseditor) June 3, 2018
?? Luther Singh’s PATHETIC penalty today for @BafanaBafana vs Madagascar. pic.twitter.com/hrXEIjeELc #COSAFACup ???? ??
— DiskiStyle (@DiskiStyle) June 3, 2018
Luther Singh….this boy is annoying…what crap was that???…who does he think he is??? World’s best player??…can somebody knock some sense into his swelling head…it’s top early he has some long way to go still…so annoying…what a waste
— Mzwandile Magwaza (@mzwaMGZ) June 3, 2018
Luther Singh has the exact “star “ mentality that we don’t need . We need hungry ppl who are willing to break a bone for the country!
— Lindokuhle Mahlase (@mahlase422) June 3, 2018
The way Luther Singh took that penalty showed so much arrogance in the boy.
How does one disrespect the entire nation like that?
Bafana Bafana are just a waste of time#CosafaCup
— Papa TinyikoNaVukosi (@Cris___Cros) June 3, 2018
Luther Singh just disrespected the national jersey…#COSAFACup
— Marks wale Buccaneer (@Marks_Bucs11) June 3, 2018
Luther Singh is bighead,he thinks is clever because he plays in Portugal,was that a penalty or a goalkeeper training shot,he is a baby maaan
— S’nqandamathe (@PeaceDuma) June 3, 2018
@BafanaBafana @SAFA_net the conduct of Luther Singh needs to be looked into its unprofessional and unacceptable, instill discipline. Such conduct is an insult to fans and SAns’ as a whole
— Malebo (@Timmytom78) June 3, 2018
What Luther Singh did sums up South african football for the past decade or so. little to 0 pride playing for Bafana Bafana
— Terrence M. (@realRazorKid) June 3, 2018