FC Twente player Kamohelo Mokotjo is eligible to play for the national football team‚ even though he is now a Dutch citizen‚ South Africa Football Association president Danny Jordaan said on Friday.
Mokotjo (26)‚ who has five caps for Bafana Bafana‚ was called up last week by caretaker-coach Owen da Gama for the national team's friendlies against Guinea-Bissau on March 25 in Durban and Angola on March 28 at a venue to be announced.
Da Gama said he had not been aware of possible eligibility complications for Mokotjo.
A peevish Jordaan said: "No [there is no issue]. You [the media] made an issue. Where was Mokotjo born? In this country.
“Does he want to play for the country? Yes. Is he a South African? Yes."
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Asked if Safa had contacted Mokotjo‚ and if he will arrive for the friendlies‚ Jordaan replied: "Yes"‚ and‚ "Yes."
On Mokotjo's eligibility‚ he replied: "He was born here - how can he not be eligible? "Watch him in his Bafana jersey in Durban."
Mokotjo had declared himself unavailable to play for Bafana after a fall-out with previous coach Shakes Mashaba‚ who was sacked in December.
Reports have been that the Twente player's Dutch citizenship requires him to reapply for his dual South African nationality.
Da Gama takes charge of this month's friendlies because Safa have not yet announced a new head coach.
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport
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