MISSING THE 2019 AFCON

The scars of missing out on playing on his maiden Africa Cup of Nations finals appearance in 2019 remain visible on Virgil Vries, even though he feels he has healed. Just over a month before the tournament in Egypt, Vries was released by Kaizer Chiefs prior to the expiry of his contract after having spent three months not playing following that disastrous blunder against Cape Town City.

Namibia coach Ricardo Mannetti opted for Max Mbaeva, Lloyd Kazapua and Ratanda Mbazuvara at the continental finals in Egypt, leaving a clubless Vries to watch from home.

“As painful as it was not to be at the tournament, I had to stand up and rub myself off so that I fight again. I still have the opportunity and I am part of the squad competing in the qualifiers again,” says Vries.