28 November 2019 – SAFA Acting CEO, Gay Mokoena has thanked the National Soccer League (NSL) for the assistance they provided in releasing the u23 players that took part in the CAF 8-Nations tournament in Egypt recently.
Hosts Egypt, Ivory Coast and South Africa qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and SAFA’s Acting CEO said he was thankful to NSL, the Clubs and acting CEO Ms Mato Madlala in postponing matches for the sake of the country.
“Your postponement of NFD matches and the help of acquiring players from certain Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams was highly appreciated.
“Although we understand the FIFA regulations of the release of players outside of FIFA dates, we still believe we can achieve total support of all PSL clubs in the future through forward planning,” added Mokoena in correspondence sent to NSL. “Please convey our utmost thanks to all NSL Clubs who contributed to our Olympic qualification.”
SAFA is currently drawing up plans to assist the u23 National team in preparing for a successful Tokyo Olympic Games in July/August next year and “will once again need your (NSL) assistance and thoughts that will provide an easy release of players over this said period.”