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Igesund can't decide on Nel

UNCLEAR: Morne Nel of SuperSport United has not been released to join the SA U-20 team in camp photo: gallo
UNCLEAR: Morne Nel of SuperSport United has not been released to join the SA U-20 team in camp photo: gallo

SUPERSPORT United have yet to decide whether to release Morne Nel to play for South Africa at next month's African Youth Championship, said coach Gordon Igesund.

The 18-year-old midfielder would be a star acquisition for Amajita for the eight-team tournament in Senegal, where South Africa will be seeking to qualify for the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand later this year.

But clubs are not obliged to release their players for the tournament and Nel's prospects remain unclear at the same time as he has forced a regular place in the Supersport United team.

"I want to support the national team," said Igesund, who was the Bafana Bafana coach until August, "but I won't release him now."

SA's under-20 team are in camp in Port Elizabeth this week; the final camp will be in Soweto before departure for Senegal on February 28.

"Closer to the time then we'll look at the situation. I'm not making any promises because it depends on the injury situation at the club but I do want to let my players go for the national team."

There is also no clarity on Rivaldo Coetzee, despite planned talks between SA Football Association president Danny Jordaan and Ajax Cape Town.

Amajita already have to do without Dutch-based Nhlakanipho Ntuli, who is not being released by Twente Enschede, and Lebo Mothiba, who is on the books of Lille in France but injured.

Semifinalists in the African Championship from March 8-22 will qualify for the U-20 World Cup this year.

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