ORGANISERS
KAIZER Chiefs coach Muhsin Ertugral is refusing to release his players for the national Under-23 team. That’s after the All Africa Games organisers refused to release three of its players, Siyabonga Nomvete, Jabu Pule and Patrick Mbutho, possibly resulting in the Amakhosi’s early exit from the Rothmans Cup. Ertugral insists it’s unheard of anywhere in the world that an association allows a competition like the Rothmans Cup to be played parallel with any other national activity. The Chiefs director of soccer, Stanley Tshabalala, is also furious. “We are not the only ones who suffered. Pirates also missed Steve Lekoelea,” he said. But All Africa Games chairperson, Mvuzo Mbebe, said the games have been on the cards for some time. “The players are on course to win the country a gold medal,” he said. “How could we release the players when they are on national duty.”