Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has been left exasperated by the ill-advised timing of the Carling Black Label Cup as he prepares his side for two November international friendly fixtures.
South Africa is set to lock horns with Mozambique and Angola towards the end of November as part of the national team's preparation for the 2023 Afcon qualifiers.
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But before that, Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns will do battle in this Saturday's Carling Black Label Cup.
Players will only report for the national team camp on 13 November, just four days before facing the Mozambicans.
At the announcement of his 23-man squad on Tuesday, the Belgian coach argued that the exhibition tournament should have been held after the international friendlies.
"I don't see the sense of it," Broos said.
"It's [for] publicity, I understand that but why do it now? Why lose a week of camp?
"Do it [after the friendlies]. They should be happy huh? Sundowns, AmaZulu, Kaizer and Pirates to play this tournament one week or two weeks before the restart of the league. They have good games.
"But now? I don't think they're happy – well, they are happy because there is money to win - but I don't think the players are happy to play such a tournament now, and even the coaches, I think."