Richards Bay goalkeeper Salim Magoola has opted not to play for the Natal Rich Boys bearing the Carling Black Label logo on his shirt as they beat Moroka Swallows 2-1 in the Carling Knockout Cup at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday, iDiski Times has learnt.
Magoola, who is Muslim, decided not to play in the tournament, which is sponsored by Carling Black Label.
Bay coach Kaitano Tembo opted to give young goalie Philasande Manqele his debut, and the 20-year-old looked assured in goals as they reached the quarter-finals where they will face Orlando Pirates.
After Magoola opted not to play in the Round of 16, it remains to be seen whether he will play in that game against Pirates, or if his club might reach a compromise with the league over the Carling Black Label logo.
Mamelodi Sundowns duo Abdelmounaim Bautouil and Reyaad Pieterse along with Cape Town Spurs defender Nazeer Allie, who are also Muslim, played their games with their shirts bearing no Carling logo.
Pieterse and Boutouil were part of the Sundowns team that lost to TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday last week, and the experienced Allie played at the back as Spurs were beaten by Orlando Pirates in the final on Friday.
Bay, knowing what might be the outcome from the league for omitting the logo, opted not to play Magoola unlike Sundowns and Spurs, who the PSL might fine them for the breach of directive for omitting the sponsor’s logo.
Magoola was in the stands in uMlazi and showed no sign of being injured.
There was also a prospect that AmaZulu players such as Taariq Fielies, Abbubaker Mobara and Junior Dion, who are also Muslims, were not going to wear shirts with a Carling logo, but Dion and Fielies did, as did Chiefs’ Yusuf Maart, with Fielies scoring the winner that sent Usuthu to the quarter-finals, beating Chiefs for the first time in knockout competition in the PSL era at FNB Stadium.
Mobara was not part of the historic win as he was injured.
