Bloemfontein – Crystal Palace midfielder, Kagisho Dikgacoi and FC Rostov defender, Siyanda Xulu, have been withdrawn from the 18-man Bafana Bafana squad to face Australia and New Zealand in friendly matches due to injuries.
Dikgacoi has been playing with pain in all of Crystal Palace’s league matches and will need to undergo an operation during the off-season while Xulu is recovering from an ankle injury.
Sundowns’ midfielder, Hlompho Kekana and Kaizer Chiefs’ Eric Mathoho replace Dikgacoi and Xulu respectively.
Bafana Bafana leave for Australia on 22 May, where they will play on 26 May before heading to New Zealand on 30 May.
The matches will be played in Sydney and Auckland respectively. The squad returns home on 1 June 2014.
Bafana Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Itumeleng Khune, Ronwen Williams.
Defenders: Thabo Nthethe, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Eric Mathoho, Anele Ngcongca, Thabo Matlaba, Tsepo Masilela.
Midfielders: Hlompho Kenana, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Thulani Serero, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa, Ayanda Patosi, Bongani Zungu, Themba Zwane.
Strikers: Bernard Parker, Tokelo Rantie.
