Following the withdrawal of Percy Tau from the latest Bafana Bafana squad, head coach Hugo Broos has been blown another setback as Orlando Pirates' Monnapule Saleng has been also forced to pull out of the national team camp, the team doctor has confirmed.
South Africa is set to take on Eswatini and Ivory Coast as part of the preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) to be played in Ivory Coast next year and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Broos, who has already lamented losses of Percy Tau, Thapelo Maseko and Bathusi Aubaas, is now faced with another setback as Saleng becomes the latest to pull out of the national team due to an illness, confirmed by team doctor Thabo Maleka on Tuesday.
Cape Town City's Khanyisa Mayo has been called up as a replacement.
"We got a report that Monnapule Saleng was having an illness, he came, we assessed him and indeed we certified that he does have an acute illness and therefore unable to join the camp.
"Obviously that requires a replacement and I think the coaches have managed to replace the player with Khanyisa [Mayo], we will also assess him and see how he joins the team.
The Strike that won the Cup
— Thomas Mlambo (@thomasmlambo) November 5, 2022
Monnapule Saleng has scored ,3 goals in this seasons #MTN8@SSFootball @SuperSportTV pic.twitter.com/3Mv4xl2Y8s
The full Bafana Bafana squad is expected to have reported for duty by Wednesday. Bafana have reported only one injury so far, with Ronwen Williams with an ankle injury sustained in the MTN8 Final.
The match against Eswatini will be played at FNB Stadium on Friday. Kick-off is at 18:00.
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