Phiri, who is currently sidelined with a back injury, has backed the team to perform and go on to great things in the future.
“Heartbroken by the fact that I wasn't released for this journey we as a nation are about to witness,” he said on his Instagram account. “Proud to be a part of this troop that's bound to take South African football to greater heights.”
Phiri, who has made 24 appearances for the Danish club thus far this season scoring two goals, was in the plans of coach Owen da Gama, but Safa were told in no uncertain terms by the Danes that the club would not be releasing one of their prized assets.
As the Cup of Nations falls outside of FIFA dates, clubs are not obliged to release players, which is why the Premier Soccer League took a three-week break during the event to encourage South African teams to do so.
South Africa opened their tournament with a 3-1 loss to hosts Senegal on Saturday and will now tackle Zambia on Tuesday, before a final Group A meeting with Tunisia on Friday.