Bafana Bafana at full strength for Mali (13.11.2001)
South Africa`s coach Carlos Queiroz says he will take his first-choice squad to the Nations Cup finals.
His decision comes despite some players saying that taking a month off from their European clubs could severely damage their careers.
Captain Shaun Bartlett at Charlton Athletic, and Manchester United`s Quinton Fortune have said their clubs would not look kindly on them leaving at a key stage in the season.
They say their places at the clubs could be jeopardised if they disappeared for a month in January and February.
But Queiroz says, "I will take my best team to Mali. I`m not even going to enquire about availability."
The statement represents a change of policy.
Truce over
Previously players who were regular starters with their clubs were to have been excused.
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Queiroz had said he feared so much football would leave his players too tired to do themselves justice at the World Cup in June.
The change will not please the players.
Bartlett said he feared he would be forced to move on from Charlton.
"If I play in the Nations Cup next January then I might as well start looking for another club", he said.
Fortune said going to Mali for a month would jeopardise his chances of more appearances in the Manchester United first team.
South Africa, like many other African countries, have battled with the club versus country dilemma.
Players have been allowed to play for their clubs rather than the national side, even during World Cup and Nations Cup qualifying matches.
