South African premiership soccer side Orlando Pirates has refused to release three of the five local players in their team for the international friendly game between Makoanyane XI and their South African counterparts, Amaglug-glug.

The two sides will play two games starting on November 17 in the evening at Setsoto Stadium and the last on November 19 at the same venue. 

Only Tefo 'Chicco' Maipato and Katleho Moleko will be available for this encounter with colleagues Dlomo Monaphathi, Lehlohonolo Ncheba and Motlalepula Mofolo not released due to “team fixture commitments”, according to Makoanyane XI manager Ts'iu Monne.

Maipato and Moleko were expected to join the rest of the team on Thursday November 17 to prepare for the friendly, with their opponents also expected to arrive the same day.

All players will however, be available for the Vodacom Council of Southern Africa Football Association (COSAFA) youth tournament to be played in Durban, South Africa starting from December 3 to 11. Thirteen Southern African countries are expected at the COSAFA games

 The international friendly will have curtain raisers in the form of third division teams Zola from Leribe; Tlokoeng from Botha Bothe; Majakathata form Thaba Tseka and Moscow from Quthing, which will be fighting for promotion into the higher ranks.

17 November 2005