Mpumalanga Black Aces’ Brazilian defender, Eduardo Ferreira, has been released by the club to be with his ailing mother in Brazil.

A statement released by the club said, “Ferreira had a discussion with the Aces owners this morning citing his ailing mother back in Brazil. He requested an immediate release from his contract and explained to George Morfou that he wanted to move back to Brazil to be closer to his family. He also needed to start educating his son who is due to start school next year and as he can’t speak English, Ferreira thought it best to return to Brazil.”

Meanwhile, the club’s chairman, George Morfou, added, “He was a key player for Aces and we are sad to let him go but owing to the circumstances we agreed to his request and gave him a clearance. He was a great team player and a thorough professional and we would like to thank him for his time at Aces.”

The defender joined Aces at the beginning of the season, playing a vital role for the club at the start of the season.

The departure of Ferreira, who recently made a debut for his adopted country, Equatorial Guinea, means that Aces have an extra foreign space opened up at the club, although will not be able to fill it until next season.