BFA consider CAF appeal
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday July 16, 2014 10:26
The South African club has refused to release the duo ahead of the Zebras' critical Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the West African nation at the National Stadium in Gaborone.
BFA chief executive officer, Keith Masters said they are now considering other options to get Celtic to release the players.
“They (Celtic) won't release them. We might write to CAF and see if they can assist,' Masters said.
The Saturday's game falls outside the international FIFA dates and clubs are not obliged to release their players.
With hopes fading, Zebras coach, Peter Butler will have to scourge through his pool to retrieve replacements. Gabonamong has not been involved with national team since the Briton took charge in February. However, Mogorosi's contribution has been immense and he would be missed.
Butler had sounded upbeat on Monday about the duo's release, but yesterday, the situation turned glum. Celtic wants to use Mogorosi and Gabonamong for a weekend friendly tournament, which coincides with the Zebras tie. The national team plays Guinea Bissau in a second round, first leg tie of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Butler now faces an uphill task as two trusted players, Jerome Ramatlhakwana and Mogakolodi 'Tsotso' Ngele are limping.
Both did not feature in a 2-0 friendly win over Lesotho on Monday night. Ramatlhakwana twisted his ankle during a practice session while Ngele has not sufficiently recovered from a knock sustained during the Diphetogo 'Dipsy' Selolwane testimonial.
However, there is hope the two will recover sufficiently for Saturday's match. Butler has already said he is preparing for life without his foreign-based contingent, as evidenced by the young crop he has been trying out.
'I knew they might not play that is why I have been using mostly local players,' Butler said. Most of the South Africa based players would be unavailable for the return leg on August 2 as that match also falls outside the FIFA date.
Butler said he is aware of the threat Guinea Bissau pose despite being ranked lower than the Zebras. Guinea Bissau is ranked 40th in Africa while the Zebras are 24th.
'I always believe FIFA rankings are false. I do not read much into them. They are a good team with good players. We expect a tough game,' the coach said.