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Cape Town - Holland-based Bafana Bafana midfielder Thulani 'Simply The Best' Serero has denied reports he put his club Ajax Amsterdam ahead of his country.
As it happened: Bafana Bafana v Botswana
GALLERY: Bafana's World Cup agony
VIDEO: Igesund on Serero's axing
According to reports, Serero was booted out of the Bafana camp ahead of their crucial 2014 Soccer World Cup qualifier against Botswana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last Saturday after claims he was concerned about getting injured and missing Ajax's upcoming Champions League match against Spanish giants Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, September 18.
However, according to the Sowetan website, speaking through his mentor Mike Ntombela on Sunday, Serero denied faking the injury, claiming he has played for Bafana Bafana in the past ahead of big Champions League games.
Despite confirmation from Bafana coach Gordon Igesund that he told Serero he wanted him to start, Serero added that 'because he's not the coach (Serero) there was no guarantee he would play, but wouldn't have travelled to Durban from Holland if I did not want to play.'
Igesund told reporters after the 4-1 win over Botswana that he would submit a report to SAFA to take the matter further.
Bafana are scheduled to face Zimbabwe in a friendly on Tuesday at the Orlando Stadium at 20:30. Serero is not part of that squad.
Read Igesund's account of the matter HERE
HAVE YOUR SAY: Whose version of events are you believing?! Serero's or Igesund's? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
As it happened: Bafana Bafana v Botswana
GALLERY: Bafana's World Cup agony
VIDEO: Igesund on Serero's axing
According to reports, Serero was booted out of the Bafana camp ahead of their crucial 2014 Soccer World Cup qualifier against Botswana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium last Saturday after claims he was concerned about getting injured and missing Ajax's upcoming Champions League match against Spanish giants Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday, September 18.
However, according to the Sowetan website, speaking through his mentor Mike Ntombela on Sunday, Serero denied faking the injury, claiming he has played for Bafana Bafana in the past ahead of big Champions League games.
Despite confirmation from Bafana coach Gordon Igesund that he told Serero he wanted him to start, Serero added that 'because he's not the coach (Serero) there was no guarantee he would play, but wouldn't have travelled to Durban from Holland if I did not want to play.'
Igesund told reporters after the 4-1 win over Botswana that he would submit a report to SAFA to take the matter further.
Bafana are scheduled to face Zimbabwe in a friendly on Tuesday at the Orlando Stadium at 20:30. Serero is not part of that squad.
Read Igesund's account of the matter HERE
HAVE YOUR SAY: Whose version of events are you believing?! Serero's or Igesund's? Send your thoughts to Sport24.
