Persita Proud of Two Foreign Players Called Up to National Teams, But One Faces Absence
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- Tamirlan Kozubaev dan Pablo Ganet menerima panggilan negara masing-masing untuk jeda internasional September-Oktober 2026.
- Kozubaev terpaksa menunda debut karena cedera, sementara Ganet siap berlaga di Kualifikasi Piala Afrika 2027.
- Kontribusi keduanya menjadi kunci performa apik Persita yang belum terkalahkan dalam tiga laga awal BRI Super League.
Two foreign players from Persita Tangerang, Tamirlan Kozubaev and Pablo Ganet, have received national team call-ups for the September-October 2026 international window. Kozubaev is on Kyrgyzstan's radar, while Ganet will once again reinforce Equatorial Guinea. This news was positively received by the club's management, although one of them must postpone the opportunity due to physical condition.
Kozubaev, a 32-year-old center-back, has been a regular for the Kyrgyzstan National Team since 2015, with 44 appearances and two goals. However, an injury still under medical team treatment has forced him to withdraw from representing his country in friendly matches against Maldives (September 28) and Lebanon (October 1). Persita, through its official statement, mentioned that the player withdrew from the call-up and hopes for his speedy recovery.
"Tamirlan was actually scheduled to play international matches with Kyrgyzstan. However, due to injury, he had to withdraw. Comeback stronger," Persita management wrote in its official statement.
On the other hand, Pablo Ganet is confirmed to reinforce Equatorial Guinea in the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 Qualifiers Group E. The Spanish-born midfielder is scheduled to play against DR Congo (September 24) and Sierra Leone four days later. Since 2015, Ganet has been almost irreplaceable with 58 caps and six goals. Persita also provided full support through encouraging messages on social media.
Both players are key pillars in coach Carlos Pena's scheme. Their contributions are one of the factors behind Persita's impressive start in the BRI Super League 2026/2027. The club, nicknamed Pendekar Cisadane, started the season with a 1-1 draw against PSIM Yogyakarta, then secured a 3-2 win over Java United FC, and followed with another 2-2 draw against PSM Makassar.
For Indonesian football, the call-up of foreign players to their national teams is not a new phenomenon. However, this situation highlights how Liga 1 clubs must manage their squads amidst a packed schedule and international agendas. Losing key players like Kozubaev and Ganet can affect team performance, especially when facing crucial matches. Persita itself will play against promoted team Garudayaksa FC on October 10, and Kozubaev's absence will certainly be a challenge.
On the other hand, the success of foreign players in breaking into their home national teams also adds value to the image of the Indonesian League on the global stage. This demonstrates that the domestic competition can be a platform for developing international talent. However, club management is required to be careful in managing player workload so as not to sacrifice the team's interests in local competitions.
Looking ahead, the Indonesian football public will be anticipating whether Ganet can perform brilliantly in the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers, while Kozubaev strives to recover from his injury. Will Persita remain strong without one of its key players, or will they lose momentum early in the season? Clearly, this dynamic reflects the complexity of club management in the modern football era.
