Mamelodi Sundowns discard Erwin Saavedra's return to the Bolivian national team has raised eyebrows in the South American country.
Bolivia coach Antonio Carlos Zago has included Saavedra in the squad to play Mexico in a friendly on Friday in preparation for the 2024 Copa America in June.
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Saavedra has only played 90 minutes twice throughout the nine appearances that he has made since returning to Club Bolivar La Paz in February after a lengthy injured enforced period on the sidelines while at Sundowns.
In two years at Sundowns, Saavedra only played 265 minutes, but within three months of his return home he has clocked 559 minutes.
However, he has done nothing spectacular that has earned him a recall to the Bolivian squad.
This has left questions being asked about what merited his return to the national team with fans voicing out their feelings.
"Saavedra was summoned to go make the coffees for the others I imagine," commented one fan on the social media platforms of the Bolivian Football Federation following the announcement of the squad.
Zago has omitted players from Always Ready and The Strongest – who usually have a huge contingent in the squad – for the friendly against Mexico but will have them for friendlies against Ecuador and Colombia prior to the start of the Copa America.
The Bolivians will face hosts USA, Uruguay and Panama.
"Saavedra" Is for real? asked one fan.
"It's a shame they have called Erwin Saavedra," pointed another follower.
"Saavedra get out of there, that's not your family," added an infuriated fan.
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"What merits Saavedra's call-up," queried another.
Bolivia have Ghana-born goalkeeper David Akologo in their squad.
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