Agent tells Tsotso to sort out Zebras issue
Thato Kala | Wednesday October 15, 2014 15:20
Ngele remained behind as the Zebras left for Egypt for today’s 2015 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier return leg in Cairo.
This was after he angrily left camp on Saturday following a reported verbal chiding by national team assistant coach, Pio Paul.
Apparently, the player was criticised in front of the other players for a poor showing during Friday’s first leg tie that ended 2-0 in favour of the Pharaohs at the National Stadium.
“Paul openly told Tsotso that he shouldn’t think he’s a star in front of everyone and he was offended,” said a source.
But the player’s agent, Makaab, moved quickly to warn his client that his actions could prove detrimental.
“I have spoken to him about the issue but obviously whatever we spoke remains confidential,” Makaab told Mmegi Sport.
Makaab said they had decided the way forward was to have the player speak to the technical director to straighten up things. He expected the player to see the director before returning to SA.
“He is meeting the technical director to talk things over. I think this is unfortunate and I hope they sort it out as soon as possible.
“I told him not to allow this to fester on the inside but get it sorted quickly. I think the sooner this is sorted the better for both him and the country,” he said.
This was not the first time Ngele had a misunderstanding with national team coaches.
During the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, Stanley Tshosane had to do without the player for a crunch tie against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.
The player explained he was injured, but Tshosane questioned why Ngele never showed up at camp so he could do the medicals with the national team doctors.
At the time, Ngele responded: “I will never turn my back on our national team because I am where I am because of the Zebras.
“It’s equally important for me to play for my country and this really pains me that I am said to have refused.”
Makaab defended his client’s poor form for country, citing Everton and former Bafana Bafana ace, Steven Pienaar, as an example.
Ngele did not live to expectations against the Pharaohs on Friday and was substituted.
In fact, he has not been able to replicate his club form for the national team in recent months.
“The same thing was said of Pienaar that the form he showed in the English Premier League was great, yet that level of performance did not translate to Bafana.
“But people must realise there could be many contributing factors to that. It can be that the style of play in the national team is different from the club’s, or it could be the type of players that he is surrounded with at club level.
“Probably Platinum Stars give him a different role, so you cannot blame anyone.”
Meanwhile, Makaab cleared the air on the player’s future saying he was moving to Mamelodi Sundowns at the start of next season.
“He has been signed by Sundowns and loaned back to Platinum Stars for a season. So Tsotso has completed his move to Sundowns,” said Makaab.