Gallants’ Matsena opens up about detention in Libya

Marumo Gallants team manager Rufus Matsena, who was detained in Libya with his colleague Dino Dhlomo as collateral, says he does not wish the experience even on his biggest enemy. 

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The duo stayed behind at a hotel in Libya last month after Gallants’ Caf Confederation Cup game there. 

The club could not settle its bills after a series of blunders saw them having to ask the hotel management to arrange everything, including a playing kit for the team.

The bills are reported to have run well over R600 000 and the club failed to settle in time. Matsena and Dhlomo decided to stay behind as collateral. 

They only came back to South Africa after the intervention of the departments of sport and international relations. 

“It wasn’t easy. Remember, the whole idea was to be there for a few days to sort out the payment issues,” Matsena told the media on their return. 

“But as difficult as it might have been, something made it a bit bearable in the fact that we sacrificed for our boys to come back to play in South Africa. 

“We stayed behind so we can have the system of paying the bills… What we did is that I agreed with Mr Dhlomo that whatever happens here, let’s not resist anything or whatsoever,” said Matsena.

Matsena and Dhlomo agree to look happy for photos

He said they had to agree to look happy for photographs just to keep the situation bearable for themselves. 

“If they say take a picture with me and smile, then let’s do that. I knew that they wanted to create a platform whereby they would force you to take a picture. 

“And take that picture to the South African media or their Facebook pages. So that people will be under the impression that we are okay.

“We had to play along. The problem was that if you wouldn’t, the guy is very temperamental. 

“So, sometimes he would come to you and ask you, ‘Did the chairman say anything about the payment?’ 

“Immediately you say no, then you know the day is not going to be nice.” 

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Matsena says he does not wish the situation on anyone but thanked everyone who contributed to their release.

“We would like to thank everybody for the support that we got from all walks of life…

“To the media, you put it out there for the people to be aware of what’s going on. 

“I wouldn’t wish that someone could go through the same thing. Fortunately, we got the ministry and federation. 

“I’m hoping that going forward, things like this can be avoided at all costs,” said Matsena.