Lebogang Phiri says he is close to signing a new contract with Danish side Brondby after apologising for a social media outburst he posted following the club’s decision not to allow him to go to the Rio Olympic Games.
Brondby would not release the 21-year-old for the tournament in Brazil‚ something that angered Phiri‚ who had hoped to use the Games to showcase his ability to a global audience with his current contract set to expire at the end of this season.
But he says that is behind him now and he is focussing on the future as strong interest from Austrian side Rapid Vienna appears to have waned.
He was in the starting line-up for Brondby as they played in their first Danish league match of the season on Sunday‚ which ended in a 4-0 home win over Esbjerg.
“As it is now‚ I’m still negotiating with the club and we are trying to agree [on a new contract]‚” Phiri told reporters after the match.
“I would not say we are far apart‚ but we have some difficulties to agree economically.
“I’m happy here‚ the style of play suits me well‚ and the club believe in me‚ so I want to be here. There are several factors that come into play‚ but the economic part is some of it. In the end it is not about money‚ but about how much the club appreciates me.
“I feel good at the club and the fans mean a lot to me. They give me energy to fight from start to finish‚ even when I'm tired‚ and I want to repay my gratitude by signing a new contract.”
Phiri also apologised for his outburst following his Olympics omission and says it is water under the bridge.
“I was pretty disappointed and angry‚ and I had said some things I should not have said. But I do not think about the Olympics more. I was not allowed to go there and let the emotions run away with me‚” he said.
“I want to apologise to everyone in the club and the supporters. It's not something you normally see from Lebogang Phiri. I am a person who believes in family values and a code of ethics.”
Phiri was a near certainty to start at the Olympics‚ especially after Belgian side KV Oostende did not release Andile Jali as one of the over-age stars for the tournament.
Phiri prepared to forgive and forget after Brondby ended his Rio Olympic dream
Lebogang Phiri says he is close to signing a new contract with Danish side Brondby after apologising for a social media outburst he posted following the club’s decision not to allow him to go to the Rio Olympic Games.
Brondby would not release the 21-year-old for the tournament in Brazil‚ something that angered Phiri‚ who had hoped to use the Games to showcase his ability to a global audience with his current contract set to expire at the end of this season.
But he says that is behind him now and he is focussing on the future as strong interest from Austrian side Rapid Vienna appears to have waned.
He was in the starting line-up for Brondby as they played in their first Danish league match of the season on Sunday‚ which ended in a 4-0 home win over Esbjerg.
“As it is now‚ I’m still negotiating with the club and we are trying to agree [on a new contract]‚” Phiri told reporters after the match.
“I would not say we are far apart‚ but we have some difficulties to agree economically.
“I’m happy here‚ the style of play suits me well‚ and the club believe in me‚ so I want to be here. There are several factors that come into play‚ but the economic part is some of it. In the end it is not about money‚ but about how much the club appreciates me.
“I feel good at the club and the fans mean a lot to me. They give me energy to fight from start to finish‚ even when I'm tired‚ and I want to repay my gratitude by signing a new contract.”
Phiri also apologised for his outburst following his Olympics omission and says it is water under the bridge.
“I was pretty disappointed and angry‚ and I had said some things I should not have said. But I do not think about the Olympics more. I was not allowed to go there and let the emotions run away with me‚” he said.
“I want to apologise to everyone in the club and the supporters. It's not something you normally see from Lebogang Phiri. I am a person who believes in family values and a code of ethics.”
Phiri was a near certainty to start at the Olympics‚ especially after Belgian side KV Oostende did not release Andile Jali as one of the over-age stars for the tournament.
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