A former Premier Soccer League star has been excluded from an African national team's squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers because of reported visa issues.
The Mozambique Football Federation (FMF) has revealed that former Mamelodi Sundowns winger Elias Pelembe will play no part in the Mambas' two important World Cup Qualifiers against Uganda and Algeria.
The 41-year-old attacker was named in the provisional squad by Mozambique head coach Chiquinho Conde. Nevertheless, he is now absent from the final lineup as the Mambas prepare to face the Desert Warriors and the Cranes.
Pelembe, who is currently playing for Mozambican professional football club UD Songo, will be unavailable for the Group G contests against the Cranes on March 20 and Algeria five days later.
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The report has claimed that Pelembe submitted his passport late on Saturday for a visa processing hence his absence from the Mambas squad.
"The national coach Chiquinho Conde explained the absences of captain Domingues due to bureaucratic issues, and of Mexer Sitóe, who is recovering from injury. In conclusion, the technician called Melque Alexandre who will reinforce the squad," FMF's statement reads per Pan African Football.
Head coach Chiquinho Conde revealed his anger about the situation.
"When we are captains, we have additional responsibilities. We must have the humility to understand that when we are asked for documentation to obtain a visa, we must be the first to set an example," said Conde, according to SuperSport.
"Unfortunately Dominguêz only made the passport available on Saturday".
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A similar circumstance has arisen within the Bafana Bafana team ahead of their games against Lesotho and Benin, with TS Galaxy player Khulumani Ndamane being excluded due to not having a passport.
South Africa coach Hugo Broos had mentioned that Ndamane would have been selected for the final squad, but due to facing the same issue as Pelembe, he had to forfeit what might have been his first call-up.