South African club drops Uzoenyi from Champions League squad

NIGERIA’S hero at the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Ejike Uzoenyi, has been dropped by South African side, Mamelodi Sundowns, from their CAF Champions League squad.

  Uzoenyi, alongside South African star, Elias Pelembe, were dropped by head coach, Pitso Mosimane, who gave reasons for omitting the players from his squad.

  The duo was not registered for the preliminary rounds of the tournament. 

 Mosimane revealed that Pelembe is yet to renew his contract at the club, while Uzoenyi is still nursing a long-term injury, which has seen him out of action for the last couple of months. 

  “We didn’t involve Elias Pelembe in the CAF list because you must remember that we were doing the CAF list in December and imagine if I included him and he went on the sign a pre-contract at another club and leaves Sundowns,” Mosimane said. 

  “People are moving. Imagine I put him on the CAF list, but I can’t choose him, I lose one spot. I played it safe. I didn’t want to lose one spot, I didn’t have time. 

  “We spoke to him, he knows, he is professional. His contract is ending, we are still busy with negotiations. I can’t lose a spot and he might not be here. 

  “I told him it is only three games, if he is around, and he has done well and he has renewed his contract we will go with him. He is professional. 

  “Ejike is injured, that is why [we didn’t include him]. He will miss the six games. You haven’t seen him for a month or two. He won’t make the three rounds in CAF, so we keep the space,” Mosimane added. 

  The Brazilians kicked-off their African adventure with a 1-1 draw away to Seychelles outfit St Michel. 

 The return-leg will take place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium at the end of the month.