Pattison gets chance

The Bafana Bafana face Egypt in London on November 15 and Fortune, who is struggling with a calf injury, will not feature.

Caretaker Coach Pitso Mosimane is upset that the Bolton Wanderers man does not want to play but Pattison has been persuaded to put a World Cup appearance ahead of any England aspirations.

"I believe, as long as you have a South African passport, I'll never give up on selecting any player," said Mosimane.

"But in Fortune's case, I really do not know.

"We have tried everything but nobody has been able to talk to him. Faxes, messages, telephone calls. You name it, we have tried it all.

"I have now decided to just leave this whole matter for coach Carlos Alberto Parreira to sort out when he takes over in January.

"I have spoken to Pattison on three occasions," he told Business Day. "I explained to him that, as hosts, we've already qualified for the 2010 World Cup.

"I told him he has a very good chance of playing in the World Cup on South African soil and he said he was keen to finally join the Bafana camp.

"I would be failing in my duties if I were to allow the youngster to play for England during the 2010 World Cup when he is a South African."