SAFA clarify Cele Situation.

SAFA have clarified the situation regarding Thabo Cele Bafana Bafana selection after the midfielder was initially said to be leaving the camp on Sunday.

Cele is one of seven changes made by coach Stuart Baxter for the COSAFA Castle Cup Plate semi-final match against Botswana at the Moruleng Stadium today.

SAFA had previously stated that Cele would be leaving the camp to attend pre-season training with his club in Portugal but since engaging with SL Benfica the 20-year-old has been granted permission to remain with the national team.

He was requested by his club and as he was on his way to the airport negotiations were ongoing for him to stay and eventually an agreement was reached that he can stay, so he returned to the camp.

Cele, who was part of the FIFA U/20 World Cup in South Korea earlier this year, was this past season playing for Sporting Club De Massana in the third tier in Portugal, scoring three times in 23 appearances.

Represented by ‘super agent’ Jorge Mendes, Cele went on to sign a five year deal with current Portuguese champions Benfica.