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SAFA irked by Middendorp

Bloemfontein - Bloemfontein Celtic coach Ernst Middendorp has landed in hot water with SAFA's Free State branch after not releasing Tshepo Chaine for national duty with the under-20 team.

According to Kickoff's website, Middendorp cited that because Chaine is part of the senior setup at the club, he will have to be part of their pre-season preparations rather than take part in the four nations tournament in the Ivory Coast.

SAFA Free State chairman Mzwandile Maforvane lashed out at the German coach by indicating that he has not considered the concerns of the national team.

According to Celtic, they have already made their players available for their pre-season preparations, thus making themselves unavailable for international duty.

The club go onto say that because none of the international matches are official friendlies or competitive, they hold the right not to release them for duty.

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