By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK
Discarded Brave Warriors’ pint sized midfielder Rudi Louw believes he deserves another look for selection to the misfiring Warriors squad.
Louw is currently in the country on self-imposed vacation after his South African club FC AK were demoted to the South African 3rd tier division following allegations of bribery.
The ambitious club won the South African Inland Stream Division One League and was on the verge of promotion to the elite league before allegations of match fixing were brought against the club.
The club’s owner, Aziz Kara, was expelled from all football-related activities for life after he was found guilty of bringing the game of football into disrepute.
The club is accused of having dangled a N$20,000 carrot in the face of Mpumalanga Black Aces’ goalkeeper Michel Babale to develop butter fingers in their first round league match which AK went on to win. Babale did not play in that particular match as a precautionary measure.
“We were supposed to have played in the promotional play-offs for the Premier Soccer League but now we are just waiting for the outcome of arbitration and hopefully will win the case,” said a clearly disappointed Louw.
In his professional debut season, Louw featured in six league games and played some part in FC AK’s one-nil defeat at the hands of Black Aces in the Nedbank Cup, before he was stretched off with a stomach injury.
“I have settled well because of the many Namibians at the club and I’m playing under a coach who believes in me.” Ali Akan is head coach of the Roodepoort Club.
Louw is confident of finding a new home should his club fail to get a reprieve from arbitration as he and his fellow Namibians will not be eligible for selection in the Vodacom League.
The 23-year old midfielder does not rule out a return to the Warriors setup.
“It’s everyone’s dream to represent their country and if given a chance, I will do my level best to help the team.”
Louw was part of the Warriors’ squad that played in the qualifiers for the last CAF Nations Cup before falling by the wayside with a knee injury, but the stocky midfielder was quick to condemn the current selection policy.
“If you are good enough you should be given a chance, but if the coach doesn’t want short players in the team then it’s discrimination and it’s not fair. The coach is appointed on merit and so should be the players,” fumed the former Civics playmaker.
“I’m also surprised that Dumisa Jantze is not getting a call-up – this guy is on fire and deserves to be given a chance because of what he’s capable of and should not be judged on the basis of his height.”