South African manager Molefi Ntseki has waded into the situation with midfielder Bongani Zungu after he was offered a reprieve by Rangers.
Zungu, 28, was one of three Rangers first-teamers who publicly apologised to the club and its supporters following a high-profile Covid-19 breach.
That apology was also publicly accepted by Steven Gerrard and Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson with Nathan Patterson and Calvin Bassey welcomed back into training alongside Zungu.
Ntseki has previously spoken about his fears regarding Zungu’s situation and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers admitting Rangers had a say on his situation.
But speaking again after the apology, Ntseki cleared the air amid claims the player wouldn’t be called up for the Bafana Bafana for their matches against Ghana and Sudan next month.
“I did not say that Bongani Zungu will not be called up to Bafana next month. We still need to assess the situation,” said Ntseki [SAfm Radio, via Daily Record].
“But I’m pleading with our players not to become celebrities but focus on their football.
“There’s nothing formal that has come our way.
“If anyone has to pick up the phone and say ‘Zungu, what happened?’ it would be like we were judging him.
“So, it’s better to approach it with caution and wait for all the facts.
“We are disappointed, but at the same time we are saying let us approach the whole thing with caution and calmness.”
Rangers midfielder Zungu is back in training but there remain major doubts over his Ibrox future with a ban thought to be imminent and a loan deal with Amiens coming to an end.
But can the South African international battle back from the brink and win a permanent move to Ibrox?
