Former Cape Town City goalkeeper Hugo Margues has explained why he did not feature for Petro de Luanda in the CAF Champions League match on Saturday.
The 36-year was conspicuously absent when Petro de Luanda travelled to Mozambique to face Black Bulls FC in the preliminary round first leg match in Maputo.
Marques told FARPost that he is still waiting for his international transfer certificate following his shock decision to leave City last month.
“My registration did not come in time because Cape Town City did not release me early. I do not know when it will be ready. We are waiting for the FIFA reply,” he tells FARPost.
Marques left City in unclear circumstances amid reports that he had a personal problem to sort out.
He later said apart from family issues which he needed to address back home, there were also issues to do with ‘lies’ and ‘inside problems.’
Marques did not elaborate who made the lies and where he experienced the inside problems.
The veteran keeper was among the stand-out players for City last season and was named the club’s best keeper for the 2021/2022 campaign.
He had joined the Citizens as a cover for Darren Keet who suffered a long-term injury.
City secured Champions League spot after finishing on second place.
In Marques absence on Saturday, Wellington started between the stick for the Luanda-based team in the preliminary round first leg match at Zimpeto Stadium.
The Angolan league champions beat Black Bulls 3-0 courtesy of goals from Tiago Blues who scored the opener in the 65th minute.
Eight minutes later, Anderson added the second goal for Petro de Luanda before Pedro Pinto scored the third goal with seven minutes to full time.
Petro de Luanda welcome the Mozambique league champions Black Bulls next week.
The Angolans are favourites to progress to the first round of the continental league.
Petro de Luanda knocked out Mamelodi Sundowns from the Champions League quarterfinal stage of the last campaign.
