LEFT OUT: Clive Barker. Picture by Mandla Mkhize

Three of Safa’s advisers – Clive Barker, Jomo Sono and Gavin Hunt – claim that they have not been invited to the opening match of the 2010 Fifa World Cup next month.

The three musketeers, who assisted in the dismissal of former Bafana Bafana coach Joel Santana, are astonished at the prospect of being sidelined from the country’s moment of glory.

Barker is the only national coach with a credible Africa Cup of Nations trophy, won in 1996. But today it would seem SA’s soccer supremos believe, as their actions show, that Barker and the other two expert panelists belong in the dirt mound.

Barker said of the snub: “It was like the doors have been slammed shut in our faces.

“Much was promised, but we are still in the dark. It would be nice to attend the opening World Cup match, but with the clock ticking, I have resigned myself to the disappointment of missing out. I am not talking on behalf of the other members but I think the feeling is mutual.”

Safa, however, has denied that the three were being sidelined.

Safa deputy president Mandla Mazibuko says : “As far as I know they are part of bigger plans at Safa, much bigger than opening World Cup match invitations. There’s a bigger future role for them to play. They are esteemed members of our football community and their inputs are highly valued.”

The trio submitted a report to Safa on Bafana Bafana’s progress and the football association acted on their recommendations in dismissing Santana.

According to Barker, the least Safa could have offered them were roles as chief spies for the national side, to advise on the strengths and weaknesses of their World Cup opponents.

Sono, the only coach to have won a World Cup match when he lead Bafana to victory against Slovania, refuses to talk about football “at the moment”.

But it is understood that the developments have not gone down well with him.

Hunt, a member of Safa’s technical committee, also says he is yet to receive an invitation.