Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United are set to lose the services Onismor Bhasera and Taiwo Atieno later this month when the African Cup of Nations 2013 qualifiers get under way.
The services of Pilgrims’ left back Bhasera and Gulls’ striker Atieno will be required by their respective countries, Zimbabwe and Kenya, for the first leg of the first round of the competition, which is switching to non-World Cup years.
Bhasera is wanted by Zimbabwe for their away match against Burundi on February 29th, which means he is likely to miss Argyle’s league meetings with Dagenham and Redbridge and Macclesfield Town.
Atieno, who has found the back of the net three times for Torquay this season, looks set to be unavailable for the Gulls’ trip to Gillingham on February 25th, following his first call-up in three years, as Kenya host Togo in Nairobi on February 29.
Thankfully for Argyle and Torquay, the next round of qualifiers won’t be taking place until mid-June.