adminKaizer Chiefs have agreed to release their national team players for the upcoming African Nations Championship (Chan). The men in question are Bafana Bafana captain Itumeleng Khune, Tsepo Masilela, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Bernard Parker and Tefu Mashamaite.Amakhosi have changed tact after previously announcing they would only release their players for the January 11 to February 1 showpiece after their top-of-the-table Premiership clash with Mamelodi Sundowns on January 23.
Safa yesterday confirmed the Chiefs stars’ availability for Chan in a statement, which said: “The Association on Friday held very constructive discussions with Kaizer Chiefs FC regarding the release of players.
“The two parties agreed that Kaizer Chiefs FC will release the players as discussed between the coaches of the national team and Kaizer Chiefs FC.
“Players will join the national team over the next 24 hours to ensure that Bafana Bafana has a full strength squad by Sunday, 5 January 2013.”
Safa president Danny Jordaan added: “We are extremely grateful to Kaizer Chiefs for their continued patriotism in support of the national team.
“Our gratitude goes out to Mr Kaizer Motaung and Kaizer Chiefs for their long-standing and unstinting support of the national team. They have always supported the national team and we are very grateful for this patriotic gesture.
“Mr Motaung is a founding member of Safa a long-standing member of the Safa national executive committee, a stalwart in the development of our sport and an ardent supporter of Bafana Bafana who regularly attends the matches of the national team.
“We have no doubt that with the inclusion of Kaizer Chiefs players in the national squad, the team will be significantly strengthened for the Chan tournament.”-Kickoff.
Online Reporter