Moroka Swallows German born coach Rainer Zobel, scored an own goal with the media on Thursday.

Zobel showed his contempt for the local press when he cancelled a MTN8 media day scheduled for the Delville Sports Club on Thursday morning, without informing anyone at the Premier Soccer League or his own club.

The PSL sent out a SMS to all the media on Thursday morning reminding them Swallows would be holding a media day at the Germiston training base ahead of Sunday's MTN8 semi-final first leg clash in Athlone.

Journalists arrived expecting an interview with Zobel and some of his players to publicise the top eight clash, only to find the security official at the sports club trying to explain to annoyed pressmen training would be at 3pm instead of 9am.

Even Swallows media officer, Siya Sangweni, was taken by surprise. “It is an unacceptable situation and I want to apologise to all for the inconvenience.

"As a club who are striving for more professionalism and this does not look good. There was obviously a communication problem," said Sangweni.

"But that is not an excuse as this is a big match and like every club, we are proud to be part of the semi-finals. All I can say is a big sorry.”

But it appears frustration crept in and the outspoken Zobel did not want his players to train at 9am after they were beaten in a league match 3-2 by the same Ajax side they face in the cup on Sunday at Dobsonville.

Sangweni did say in mitigation, the players would be tired after a tough match against Ajax.

"But that still did not excuse Zobel for not telling anyone he had given the players the morning off."

PSL media manager Altaaf Kazi, was furious with Zobel for messing up the sponsored media day. “It is a big mess thanks to the Swallows coach who cancelled training without telling us.

"The sponsors have wasted money on catering and journalists wasted their time.”

Zobel, who joined the Birds at the start of last season, had plenty to say when the PSL crammed in their Absa Premiership programme to accommodate former Bafana Bafana head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira three month training camp in preparation for the World Cup in June.

Zobel famously stated last season he did not not understand why Parreira needed three months to prepare to play only three games at the World Cup.

In other words, Bafana and Parreira were wasting everyone's time, as Bafana had no chance at the global showpiece.

Zobel should look to rival PSL Soweto clubs Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs, who are media friendly and encourage journalists to report on their training sessions and media days.

The few media friends Zobel might have had, he has now lost and Sangweni and his staff face a massive job of damage limitation.