Dumitru removed as SA coach

We failed to meet even the lowest expectations South Africa coach Ted Dumitru, on their first-round exit from the Cup of Nations

Interim South Africa manager Ted Dumitru has been relieved of his post, following the team's first-round exit at the African Cup of Nations.

"Mr. Dumitru was selected on an interim basis and as of today he is no longer the team's head coach," said South African Football Association CEO Raymond Hack on Wednesday.

"Safa will conduct an intensive search, whether it be by interviews or head hunting for the next coach, to hopefully take the team further on a long-term basis."

Dumitru apologised to the South African public for what he admitted was an unacceptable showing at Africa's most prestigious football tournament.

"First of all, a big sorry to the nation. To all of you, we failed to meet even the lowest expectations," he said.

Arriving at Johannesburg Airport on Wednesday, the police had to shield some of the national team players as they made their way through irate fans.

Bafana Bafana lost all three group matches at the tournament and failed to score a single goal against Guinea, Tunisia and Zambia.

It has also failed to qualify for this year's World Cup in Germany, but will be at the 2010 edition as host.

Captain Sibusiso Zuma said there were no excuses for the dismal showing and warned that drastic measures must to taken to arrest the national team's decline.

"We have a big problem with South African football at the moment. We have got to fix it as soon as possible," he said.

South Africa President Thabo Mbeki had lambasted the team at the weekend.

"We cannot be a losing nation in a way that Bafana Bafana lost in Egypt," he said.