Cape Town - South Africa Football Association CEO Dennis Mumble has revealed that they intend to take action against Wits if the club does not release Phakamani Mahlambi for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 19-year-old has been called up for Amajita duty as he has been in superb form for the Clever Boys this season as the club chases PSL title credentials.

However, Wits are adamant on not releasing the player due as the tournament does not fall under the FIFA calendar.

According to the SowetanLIVE website, Mumble says that a national team call up is a priority and that if Wits are stubborn about the process, the association will take matters further.

"We have included him in the list and we expect the club to release that player. We have already notified the club that we are going to take action should they not release the player," SAFA CEO Dennis Mumble said yesterday.

"The bottom line is, the national team takes priority over club commitments and we are not going to budge on that.

"There is no other club in the league that has resisted, and so, whichever club is responsible for holding players back we are going to act on it and believe me, we are acting on it as we speak."

The U20 AFCON kicks off this weekend on Sunday, February 26 in Zambia with the tournament ending on March 12.