RACING Genk's refusal to release Anele Ngcongca for tonight's friendly against Nigeria has hampered Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund's preparations for the crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against Botswana.
Igesund is using tonight's Nelson Mandela Challenge match at Moses Mabhida Stadium (8.15 kickoff) to fortify the team for the September 7 qualifier but he's instead being embroiled in yet another club versus country tussel.
He is not the only one in the trenches, however, as Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi did not get Chelsea midfield anchor John Obi Mikel because of an alleged stomach ache - this on the eve of the start of the new English Premier League season.
Genk asked that the Bafana right back be relieved of his national team duties, although tonight's game falls on a Fifa date for internationals. But their request was rejected by Igesund.
The Belgian club then claimed that Ngcongca was "injured and needed to be rested this week".
Igesund spat fire yesterday, labelling Genk disrespectful and dishonest.
"I'm annoyed and disappointed that a club of Genk's stature can resort to those kind of things," Igesund said.
"The club spoke to me asking me to release the player because they had important games coming up. I explained to them that we can't release the player and he needed to be on the flight coming here.
"[Then] late on Monday night I got a call from the coach [Mario Been] telling me Anele got injured. But he wasn't injured.
"Barney [Kujane] spoke to him two hours before the call that said Ngcongca was injured came in. Unless he fell down the stairs or something during those couple of hours, they fabricated a story about him being injured.
"It shows a lack of respect from their club, especially on an auspicious day such as this. I've reported the issue to Safa and they will take the matter further with Fifa and the necessary steps with be taken."
Ngcongca was meant to report for duty yesterday morning, along with the other European-based play-ers Tokelo Rantie and Dean Furman - who have honoured the call-up. A replacement for Ngcongca will not be called up.
It appears that Igesund will play Ajax Cape Town defender Thulani Hlatshwayo in Ngcongca's place and pair Mulomowandau Mathoho with Thabo Nthethe in central defence.
lSee Page 31
Genk hold on to Ngcongca
RACING Genk's refusal to release Anele Ngcongca for tonight's friendly against Nigeria has hampered Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund's preparations for the crucial 2014 World Cup qualifier against Botswana.
Igesund is using tonight's Nelson Mandela Challenge match at Moses Mabhida Stadium (8.15 kickoff) to fortify the team for the September 7 qualifier but he's instead being embroiled in yet another club versus country tussel.
He is not the only one in the trenches, however, as Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi did not get Chelsea midfield anchor John Obi Mikel because of an alleged stomach ache - this on the eve of the start of the new English Premier League season.
Genk asked that the Bafana right back be relieved of his national team duties, although tonight's game falls on a Fifa date for internationals. But their request was rejected by Igesund.
The Belgian club then claimed that Ngcongca was "injured and needed to be rested this week".
Igesund spat fire yesterday, labelling Genk disrespectful and dishonest.
"I'm annoyed and disappointed that a club of Genk's stature can resort to those kind of things," Igesund said.
"The club spoke to me asking me to release the player because they had important games coming up. I explained to them that we can't release the player and he needed to be on the flight coming here.
"[Then] late on Monday night I got a call from the coach [Mario Been] telling me Anele got injured. But he wasn't injured.
"Barney [Kujane] spoke to him two hours before the call that said Ngcongca was injured came in. Unless he fell down the stairs or something during those couple of hours, they fabricated a story about him being injured.
"It shows a lack of respect from their club, especially on an auspicious day such as this. I've reported the issue to Safa and they will take the matter further with Fifa and the necessary steps with be taken."
Ngcongca was meant to report for duty yesterday morning, along with the other European-based play-ers Tokelo Rantie and Dean Furman - who have honoured the call-up. A replacement for Ngcongca will not be called up.
It appears that Igesund will play Ajax Cape Town defender Thulani Hlatshwayo in Ngcongca's place and pair Mulomowandau Mathoho with Thabo Nthethe in central defence.
lSee Page 31