SARAJEVO, Aug 6: The Bosnia players who boycotted the national team in protest at football association (NSBIH) policies have almost all agreed to play in a friendly against Bulgaria this month, coach Miroslav Blazevic said on Wednesday.

Blazevic, who led Croatia to third place at the 1998 World Cup in France, has called up 25 players for the home game on Aug 20. This will be his first test since he took over as coach last month to replace Meho Kodro who was sacked in May.

“I expect everybody from the list to respond to my call for this very important game even though it is seen as a game show — but not for me,” the Bosnia-born Croat told reporters. “I promise we shall prepare for it as if it was a qualifier.”

The list of those returning to the squad include Emir Spahic of Lokomotiv Moscow, Branimir Bajic of Koblenz, Elvir Rahimic of CSKA Moscow, Zvjezdan Misimovic of VfL Wolfsburg, Mirko Hrgovic of Dinamo Zagreb and Sasa Papac of Rangers.

Blazevic said there was a possibility that some players might fail to show up “for unknown reasons”. He named goalkeeper Kenan Hasagic as the only one who declined to talk to him.

At least eight players have boycotted matches over the last year, calling on NSBIH officials to resign amid accusations of incompetence and corruption, saying they were elected because of ethnic-affiliation and not professional qualifications.

Kodro, the former national team captain, was sacked after only four months when he refused to lead the team in a friendly against Iran, saying he was not notified of the fixture in time.

However, the choice of the experienced 73-year-old Blazevic as coach has raised hopes among fans that the Balkan country can qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He will need his best side for their opening World Cup qualifier away to European champions Spain in Group 5 on Sept 6.

They also face Turkey, Belgium, Estonia and Armenia.

—Reuters