Amakhosi players are not horses - Bobby
KAIZER Chiefs have told Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund to go elsewhere to look for players for the Cosafa Cup - but not Naturena.
When Igesund announces his squad today to represent the country in the regional tournament in Zambia next month, it will not include players from Chiefs or Orlando Pirates.
Amakhosi have made it clear to Igesund that soccer 'players are not horses" and that they needed a break after a long and taxing PSL programme.
"We had a meeting with Igesund a while ago, and we told him that we are not going to release any of our players for this tournament," said Chiefs' general manager Bobby "Bobsteak" Motaung yesterday.
Pirates refused to release their players because they have a vital Caf Champions League fixture against reigning Confederations Cup champions, AC Leopards, on July 21 - a day after the kickoff of the Cosafa Cup.
Chiefs' players who will be missed in the Bafana squad are captain Itumeleng Khune, Siboniso Gaxa, Mulomowandau Mathoho, Tsepo Masilela, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Reneilwe Letsholonyane.
Motaung said they suggested to Igesund that the regional tournament presented a perfect opportunity for budding players to showcase their talent at that level. "Surely, we cannot rely on the same players in all these matches, players are not horses. We have never had problems supporting the national team," the Chiefs boss said.
"But Cosafa competition is not as important as the World Cup and is not even on the Fifa calendar. Our players have just returned from energy-sapping African Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifier tournaments and we have pre-season preparations as well. If we continue using the same players for all the matches, what message are we sending to other players?"
Pirates' coach Roger de Sa said: "We had a meeting with Igesund where we discussed the availability of players for this tournament.
"Unfortunately, we could not release them because we have a tough match against AC Leopards on the same weekend with the Cosafa fixtures."
Igesund will miss the services of Bucs stars such as Senzo Meyiwa, Daine Klate, Thandani Ntshumayelo, Tlou Segolela and Oupa Manyisa. Players like Mamelodi Sundowns keeper Wayne Sandilands, SuperSport United defender Bevan Fransman, Moroka Swallows midfielder Lerato Chabangu and Bloemfontein Celtic defender Thabo Nthethe should come to Igesund's rescue.
But soccer lovers may as well ask, whatever happened to AmaBinneplaas for whom such tournaments were meant? The country will also be hosting the African Champion Nations next year, which is also meant for budding senior national team players. - Additional reporting by Sello Rabothata