Orlando Pirates are not having it easy with SAFA as regards their COSAFA request, according to the latest reports.
In a letter addressed to the Premier Soccer League, the Buccaneers stated clearly that the club will not be allowing three of their players to report for the Bafana Bafana camp for next month’s COSAFA Cup.
Bongani Sam, Vincent Pule and Tshegofatso Mabasa were given call ups by assistant coach Helman Mkhalele last week for their matches against Lesotho, eSwatini and Botswana.
“We take note that the dates of the call-up do not fall in any of the dates applicable to CAF Member Federations in the FIFA International Calendar,” the Pirates letter read.
“Our club participated in both the CAF Confederation Cup and a highly compacted PSL fixture list over the past eight months, mostly playing two to three fixtures every week. This loaded our players much more than the recommended levels for professional footballers. In particular, the players that have been called up suffered a number of injuries during this period and remain at high risk. Whilst we are highly respectful of the National Federations’ rights to call up our players, and are in fact very proud when our players represent the country, we do have a responsibility to give attention to their well-being.”
Similarly, it has also been gathered that Pirates have sent a similar letter to Namibia, who also want Deon Hotto be part of their squad for the same tournament.
“Having given this our thoughtful consideration, balancing all the factors that apply, we have taken the decision not to release the players for this call-up period,” the letter concluded. No one can exactly blame Pirates for their actions but perhaps some feel they could have been more lenient with the situation as well.