South Africa arrived in Egypt yesterday for the Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on Friday, with just 12 players
They are due to open their campaign, of what is also the qualifiers for the men’s Olympic football tournament, against Zambia on Saturday with just 15 players available.
South Africa’s top clubs refused to release their players before Monday, when the FIFA window for international matches begins. The South African Football Association (SAFA) fails in its bid to get the clubs to release players early.
However, instead of finding replacements, Safa has taken a gamble in naming players from Cape Town City, Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and SuperSport United in their 21-man squad for the tournament, knowing that they would not be freed up for the weekend.
South Africa will only have their full complement just before their second group game next Tuesday against Ivory Coast.
The last group game for South Africa is against Nigeria next Friday, November 15. – BBC
