Kaizer Chiefs product set to receive SA passport on Monday, leaving the ball in Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos’ court - 'It cannot be an excuse for us as a country'

Khulumani Ndamane made headlines after Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos announced that he could not make the final squad due to not having a valid passport and his place in the squad was taken by Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana.

Ndamane has been outstanding in his debut season, playing a crucial role in TS Galaxy’s defence. His call-up was a reward for his impressive performances at a young age. TS Galaxy owner Tim Sukazi has assured that the defender's passport will be ready by Monday and he believes the issue could have been handled better and resolved in time as it is a matter of national interest.

Sukazi also stated that the decision is now in Hugo Broos’ hands, and the coach should not deny the player this opportunity.

“It is a prime requirement when you play for TS Galaxy to have a passport – we are clear on this in our induction program at the start of the season. We are not sure how the process skipped Ndamane," Sukazi said on SABC Sport.

"We are a club that takes camps in Europe and were the first ones to open that route for our sister clubs, it means it’s almost compulsory for a TS Galaxy player to have a passport.

“We have already resolved this. Ndamane will have his passport on Monday. We took a view that this is a matter of national interest and coach Broos can have his player in the squad as he wishes.”

Sukazi believes the 21-year-old should not be denied the opportunity to represent his country over a saga that would have been avoided with better communication.

“It cannot be an excuse for us as a country to say the player can’t be in the national team because of a passport when the match is to be played some six or eight days after the announcement of the squad,” the Galaxy boss added.

“SAFA is a national organisation and belongs to the country. We should not act as though we are in Scandinavia or London or Russia. Why can’t we pause and issue it when it is needed? I must commend the deputy minister [of Home Affairs] Njabulo Nzuza – he was prompt on this matter. This was a matter that could have easily be resolved immediately. The passport will be available, we now leave this in the hands of the national team coach.”

The KwaZulu-Natal-born defender has made 21 appearances in all competitions this season, he has played a key role in helping TS Galaxy keep seven clean sheets during his debut campaign. He has formed a strong defensive partnership with Samukelo Kabini, who is set to join Molde FK in Norway.

The 20-year-old Kabini was also in the provisional Bafana Bafana squad but did not make the final cut. With the final squad for the Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho now confirmed, it remains to be seen if Broos will reconsider Ndamane as his inclusion would be a significant boost for the national team.

TS Galaxy will face AmaZulu in their next fixture, aiming for a positive result. A victory would see them climb to third place in the league standings. They would leapfrog Sekhukhune United, who still have two games in hand.