Romanian Liga I giants FCSB boss George Becali has embraced the club’s defender Siyabonga Ngezana’s call-up to Bafana Bafana.
Ngezana was named as part of Bafana’s 50-man preliminary squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Africa’s showpiece is set to be staged in Ivory Coast next year and it will commence on 13 January and will run until 11 February.
The former Chiefs defender Ngezana will know whether he is going to AFCON by Wednesday, 03 January, as that’s the cut-off date for national teams to finalise their trimmed-down 23-man squads.
Many European clubs are reluctant to release African players for AFCON, but amidst the grumbles, FCSB leader Becali stood resolutely on the side of opportunity.
Siyabonga Ngezana has been in impressive form in Romania, and his efforts have been noticed by Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
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“There is no problem with the boy leaving. If it’s an official tournament, players normally go there,” said Becali, as quoted by The CoverUp.
“How can I stop him from leaving? There are rules. That’s how it is done. I don’t break the rules.
“But let’s see, he is on a list; it is not clear that he will go to the national team; that list is preliminary.
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“But I cannot forbid a man to represent his country. How can I do such a thing? It’s according to the rules, I don’t break the rules.”
Bafana jets off to Ivory Coast for AFCON, kicking off against Mali on January 16th.
Afterwards, they will take on neighbours Namibia on Sunday, 21 January before their final group encounter against Tunisia on Wednesday, 24 January.