Pretoria - Continuous failure by South African national teams to qualify for continental and global tournaments calls for introspection on where the country's football is headed, says Safa President Kirsten Nematandani.
This follows the failure of Baby Bafana to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Qualifiers and Bafana Bafana not making it for the 2012 African Cup of Nations (Afcon).
"Bafana Bafana will not be at the 2012 Afcon; now the under-23 squad will not be in London. That calls for serious introspection [on] where South African football is going.
"We had high hopes for this team as we felt this mission was achievable, but it was not to be. "However, we are still proud of the boys as they gave a good account of themselves," he said.
Nematandani said they were planning to organise a National Technical Conference, where they will look deep into the challenges facing the nation's football. Football experts, including the world football governing body, FIFA, will be invited.
Baby Bafana are back in the country after they were booted out of the tournament when they lost 2-nil against Egypt after playing two matches that ended in a 1-all draw against Ivory Coast and Gabon.
Team coach Shakes Mashaba said: "Football is about scoring and winning matches and we did not do that, but I am proud of these boys for giving it their all. They really showed character. After all, we did not spend much time together preparing for this tournament.
"We wanted to win badly but it was not to be, and if you saw the number of chances we got, you will agree that the problem remains a goal scoring issue; and this is the entire South African [football] problem.
"We let people down but I would like to say I hope there will be a next time where we can do better."
