'PSL will not let us mourn Meyiwa'

Polokwane City midfielder Benson Mhlongo has questioned the PSL 's decision not to postpone all the weekend's league matches following the death of Bafana Bafana captain and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.

The PSL postponed the Soweto derby out of respect for Meyiwa, but CEO Brand de Villiers ruled out rescheduling the rest of the league's fixtures.

He said yesterday: "No, we are not going to move the matches. That is an administrative decision."

This decision makes it impossible for many of Meyiwa's former teammates to attend his funeral in Umlazi on Saturday.

Meyiwa also played with numerous players at under-17, 20 and 23 level, many of whom are playing in the PSL right now and will not be able to pay their last respects.

Mhlongo will be at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday for his side's league clash with Chippa United.

Mhlongo said: ''[The PSL] have the power to make the right decisions. Must we fight now for them to make the right decisions?

"I really thought they would postpone the games to allow us time to mourn and give those who want to go to the funeral the chance to pay their respects.

"Some of us [live far away] and you need a day or two to get to Durban.

"If we lose someone, we should support each other in football. If we don't, then how are we going to grow? This is our leader we are talking about.

"He was the Bafana Bafana captain. This is very sad."

Former Pirates player Lebohang Mokoena said the PSL management's decision had reduced him to tears.

Mokoena was one of Meyiwa's closest friends, but the Mamelodi Sundowns winger will not be able to make it to the funeral of his former teammate.

Instead he will have to feature in Sundowns' match against Free State Stars at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday.

Said Mokoena: "He was more than a teammate to me. He was my friend.

"We were very close and we stayed together in Mayfair years ago. [ The PSL] is not even giving us a chance to mourn. It does not make sense because I feel the games should be stopped.

"The whole league is affected by this because he was loved by everybody. Even at training, the mood is not good. It's not going down well with everybody.

"We want to be there at the funeral because there won't be another day to do that. It has been difficult for me to sleep."