Marumo Gallants duo Rufus Matsena and Dina Dlhomo, who had been held as collateral in Libya, are finally back in South Africa.
The two left Benghazi on Sunday aboard Turkish Airways via Istanbul. The duo arrived at OR Tambo on Monday morning.
An emotional Matsena said “all would be revealed tomorrow” at the club’s press conference.
“We’re very much delighted to be home. There’s no price that you can place in terms of the feeling that we have,” Matsena told SABC Sport.
“We’re very excited, and if there’s anything else that needs to be said, tomorrow, there will be a press conference.
“So all will be revealed tomorrow. But it’s good to be back home.”
Earlier on Monday, a Department of International Relations and Cooperation [DIRCO] official tweeted that the duo was on their way home.
READ: SAFA, government step in to rescue detained Marumo Gallants duo
This was after last Thursday’s meeting between SAFA, DIRCO, the hotel owner, Dr Ali Elzargha, and the club’s officials.
At the virtual meeting, it was agreed that Marumo Gallants owner, Abram Sello, would pay 50 percent of what was left.
The club owed in the region of R700 000 for flights, accommodation and a playing kit they purchased in Libya.
They had initially paid about R250 000 and needed to settle a remaining R500 000. After Thursday’s meeting, a further R250 000 was paid with the balance to be settled this week.
“The two @_Marumogallants officials who were “held” in a hotel in Libya….on their way home. @DIRCO_ZA facilitated the settlement that secured their release. ” tweeted Clayson Monyela, DIRCO’s spokesperson.
Marumo Gallants have repeatedly said they felt the prices Dr Ali was giving them were inflated.
The Limpopo side, nonetheless, qualified for the quarterfinals of the CAF Confederation Cup.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were pitted against Pyramids in a quarterfinal draw which took place in Egypt on Wednesday night.
Pyramids have reached the semi-finals of the Confederation Cup in the last three seasons having lost to RS Berkane of Morocco in the 2019-20 final.
The Egyptian big spenders have Bafana Bafana international Fagrie Lakay on their books.