Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane is torn between his ambitions for his club at the Caf Champions League and his country with Keagan Dolly at the centre of the turmoil.
A key member of the national U23 squad, Dolly produced a Man of the Match display in his country’s 4-0 thrashing of Gambia on Saturday, where he netted twice and created the other two, but is set to miss the key Caf group stage matches against Zamalek and Setif.
‘I don’t want to lose Keagan to the Olympics but also I don’t want Keagan not to play against Zamalek,’ Mosimane told KickOff.
‘I don’t want Keagan not to play against Setif in Algeria. We will see, we will speak to Owen [SA U-23 coach Da Gama] and also let’s see how it goes.’
Mosimane, who coached Bafana Bafana from 2010-2012, believes perhaps the decision should be made by Dolly himself.
‘I have been with Bafana. I had players taken from me at the airport and I don’t forget that pain. I don’t forget that pain, it was a sharp knife in my heart.
‘Since at Sundowns I have sacrificed my pre-season, I have given players for Cosafa. If it comes to push, maybe Keagan must go to the Olympic Games. It’s country first. But I am not going to make that call now. We still have to discuss and see. Maybe Keagan also must decide.’
If selected for Amaglug-glug, Dolly will miss club fixtures against Zamalek (July 26), ES Setif (August 12) and Enyimba (August 23).
South Africa U23 Olympic fixtures:
South Africa v Brazil – August 4
South Africa v Denmark – August 8
South Africa v Iraq – August 11
