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‘Maybe next time,’ says Blom to Bafana after declining call-up
“Obviously, I was disappointed that I couldn’t go, but it is what it is,” says Blom.
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos shares a moment with Njabulo Blom in a previous camp. Photo: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images
Njabulo Blom has said he hopes he will be called again at Bafana Bafana after being forced to withdraw from the current camp.
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The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder was in the initial 23-man squad selected by Bafana coach Hugo Broos.
But Blom was withdrawn from Bafana by his US Major League side St Louis City, with an undisclosed illness given as the reason.
That really infuriated the Bafana mentor who said he would ask Safa that they follow it up with Fifa, though he later added that they had received a medical report on Blom from St Louis.
Clubs are not allowed by law to withdraw players from their national teams without valid reasons.
And if they are injured, they are required to travel to their country to be assessed unless the club and country have an understanding.
Blom has, meanwhile, revealed that he is now back training with his club just a little over a week after he was declared unfit.
A report by the local media in the US has however revealed that Blom had been isolated due to showing signs of Covid-19.
“South Africa is my country. I love my country,” Blom said as quoted by St Louis Post-Dispatch.
“It’s every young boy’s or professional player’s dream to represent their country.
“Obviously, I was disappointed that I couldn’t go, but it is what it is,” said Blom.
Blom says declining Bafana was hard decision
The 24-year-old says it was not an easy decision to decline the call-up.
“I had to sit down and think if it was necessary for me to go to the national team.
“And I felt like I was sick at the moment, and I haven’t been training.
“I felt it was good for me and the national team to get better and then get good training time. Hopefully, they call me next time,” added Blom.
His place at Bafana was takenby Orlando Pirates midfielder Miguel Timm.
Bafana are in camp for the Caf Africa Cup of Nations back-to-back qualifiers against Liberia.
ALSO READ: Broos refuses to speak after Liberia leave Bafana red-faced
They have however made their journey to Ivory Coast a little more difficult after drawing 2-2 with Liberia at home on Friday.
Bafana allowed their opponent to come back from 2-0 down to end up with a result that puts them under pressure. The second leg is in Liberia on Tuesday.
