Kickoff (Cape Town)
9 December 2008
Final word from the Ajax Cape Town camp on the ongoing Eduardo Ferreira saga is that the talented Brazilian will miss out on Saturday's Telkom Cup final against Orlando Pirates.
The Urban Warriors attempted to appeal against the yellow card which appeared to have been harshly handed out to Ferreira in last Saturday night's league match against Pirates.
However, the player confirmed to KickOff.com at lunchtime today that the club received a negative response to their appeal.
"I have been told by the club bosses that the ruling will not be overturned and that I cannot play on Saturday," said a visibly disappointed Ferreira.
The central defender feels that he was hard done by in receiving the booking.
"I was just trying to go through the gap between two players and I slipped on the grass. I never even appealed for a free kick, I turned straight around to get back into position and next thing I was being booked.
"Of course, I am very disappointed but I know that Martin Carelse can come in and do a good job; he is a very good player," said Ferreira.
Along with Carelse, Nhlanhla Khubeka would have been Ajax's other option to fill in for Ferreira, but the former Chiefs man is on crutches and is out with a long term injury after picking up a knock during training.
Urban Warriors coach Craig Rosslee defended his decision to risk Ferreira, who was on two yellow cards, in last weekend's game against Bucs, and believes that Carelse is a more than adequate replacement.
"In soccer you cannot guarantee anything and risks must be taken - a player could always been injured in training. The reality is that for the last several weeks we have had several players on two yellow cards.
"I decided to play my best team against Pirates last week because we wanted three points; that was the key. And when we woke up on Monday morning we were top of the table.
"I believe in all our players in the squad - Carelse is good player who was in fantastic form in the last four or five games that he played," said Rosslee.
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