Players and coach struggle to get work permits
SEVERAL Premier Soccer League clubs are reeling from the effects of the continuing public servants' strike.
Mpumalanga Black Aces cannot secure work permits from the Department of Home Affairs for their newly signed foreign players because of the strike.
They are also waiting for a work permit for their Cyprus-born coach Aki Ayiomamidis.
The affected Aces players are goalkeeper Denis Onyango from Uganda, German-born defender March Eberie and strikers Lottie Phiri from Zambia and Ivory Coast-born Brice Aka.
The Mpumalanga club could be forced to field a depleted side and Ayiomamidis could be missing from the bench when they host Platinum Stars in their first Absa Premiership fixture of the new season at Witbank's Puma Stadium on Sunday.
To add to Aces' problems, two of their other new signings - defenders Lehlohonolo Seema and Joseph Henyekane - sustained injuries last week and are doubtful starters for Sunday.
Aces assistant coach Dumisa Ngobe said the work permit issue was worrying.
"It is difficult to prepare the team as we are in the dark as to whether any of the foreign players will be available by Sunday," said the former Orlando Pirates star.
"The club's management are hoping to have the work permit issue sorted out by Friday, but with the civil service strike in full swing, there is no guarantee.
"We are faced with having to prepare two different sides for Sunday, just in case."
Ngobe will be on the bench on Sunday if Ayiomamidis's work permit is not processed in time.
"The coach is not the biggest worry because he will at least be able to sit in the stands and relay messages to the bench and come in at half-time to give his team talk," Ngobe said.
"It is the uncertainty surrounding the four players and the injuries to Seema and Henyekane that are causing concern."
Seema, the Lesotho international captain and former Pirates skipper, was brought on board to add experience to the defence, as was former South Africa Under-23 player Henyekane.
Aces brought in a virtually new squad of players to boost the side that narrowly avoided relegation at the end of last season.
Moroka Swallows have also been affected by the strike, which is showing no sign of abating.
In fact, it seems to be getting worse.
But the Birds' problems with the department of home affairs are apparently being resolved.
Swallows had to wait for Giorgi Nergedzi to be issued with a work permit, but club chief executive Leon Prins said it had been taken care of.
"The strike did not make it easy but we only have Oscar Machapa waiting for his work permit.
"Hopefully we'll get it very soon. Getting a player cleared does seem to take time, but it's not only us - a lot of clubs are facing the same problem," Prins said.
Swallows could not field the two players at the weekend, but still manage to register a surprise victory over SuperSport United to advance to the semifinals of the MTN8 at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.
Strike gives Aces blues
Players and coach struggle to get work permits
SEVERAL Premier Soccer League clubs are reeling from the effects of the continuing public servants' strike.
Mpumalanga Black Aces cannot secure work permits from the Department of Home Affairs for their newly signed foreign players because of the strike.
They are also waiting for a work permit for their Cyprus-born coach Aki Ayiomamidis.
The affected Aces players are goalkeeper Denis Onyango from Uganda, German-born defender March Eberie and strikers Lottie Phiri from Zambia and Ivory Coast-born Brice Aka.
The Mpumalanga club could be forced to field a depleted side and Ayiomamidis could be missing from the bench when they host Platinum Stars in their first Absa Premiership fixture of the new season at Witbank's Puma Stadium on Sunday.
To add to Aces' problems, two of their other new signings - defenders Lehlohonolo Seema and Joseph Henyekane - sustained injuries last week and are doubtful starters for Sunday.
Aces assistant coach Dumisa Ngobe said the work permit issue was worrying.
"It is difficult to prepare the team as we are in the dark as to whether any of the foreign players will be available by Sunday," said the former Orlando Pirates star.
"The club's management are hoping to have the work permit issue sorted out by Friday, but with the civil service strike in full swing, there is no guarantee.
"We are faced with having to prepare two different sides for Sunday, just in case."
Ngobe will be on the bench on Sunday if Ayiomamidis's work permit is not processed in time.
"The coach is not the biggest worry because he will at least be able to sit in the stands and relay messages to the bench and come in at half-time to give his team talk," Ngobe said.
"It is the uncertainty surrounding the four players and the injuries to Seema and Henyekane that are causing concern."
Seema, the Lesotho international captain and former Pirates skipper, was brought on board to add experience to the defence, as was former South Africa Under-23 player Henyekane.
Aces brought in a virtually new squad of players to boost the side that narrowly avoided relegation at the end of last season.
Moroka Swallows have also been affected by the strike, which is showing no sign of abating.
In fact, it seems to be getting worse.
But the Birds' problems with the department of home affairs are apparently being resolved.
Swallows had to wait for Giorgi Nergedzi to be issued with a work permit, but club chief executive Leon Prins said it had been taken care of.
"The strike did not make it easy but we only have Oscar Machapa waiting for his work permit.
"Hopefully we'll get it very soon. Getting a player cleared does seem to take time, but it's not only us - a lot of clubs are facing the same problem," Prins said.
Swallows could not field the two players at the weekend, but still manage to register a surprise victory over SuperSport United to advance to the semifinals of the MTN8 at Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.