LEE KHOTLELE
Jali’s Belgian club KV Oostende decided against releasing him and said he had club commitments two days before South Africa’s encounter against Australia.
Meanwhile, Modise confirmed that he had plans ahead of the match and will not go on tour. He will now be replaced by Reneilwe Letsholonyane of Kaizer Chiefs.
Other players that have withdrawn from the makeshift side are the Pirates trio of Thabo Matlaba, Oupa Manyisa and Kermit Erasmus.
Matlaba and Manyisa have suffered injuries.
The protocol is that injured players have to report to the camp in order to be assessed by the national team doctors.
However, the pair failed to report to the national camp and it remains to be seen if SAFA will take any action.
Erasmus, who was called in as a last-minute replacement for Bernard Parker, could not join the team as he said that he and his family were on their way to the Netherlands to begin their holiday after the end of the domestic season.
The trio has been replaced by SuperSport United’s Sibusiso Khumalo, Siyabonga Nhlapo from Wits and Platinum Stars striker, Siphelele Mthembu.
Meanwhile, Amakhosi’s Itumeleng Khune (groin), Simphiwe Tshabalala (toe) and Parker (knee) also withdrew due to injuries.
Other players that have withdrawn through injury are Sibusiso Vilakazi, Tsepo Masilela, Kagisho Dikgacoi and Siyanda Xulu..
The team will depart from Johannesburg on Thursday.
They face Australia at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney on May 26, with kick-off at 11:30 CAT before skipping over the ditch to take on New Zealand at the Smart Stadium in Auckland on May 30 at 09:30 CAT.
Latest Bafana squad:
Goalkeepers: Senzo Meyiwa, Ronwen Williams.
Defenders: Thabo Nthethe, Buhle Mkhwanazi, Anele Ngcongca, Erick Mathoho, Thato Mokeke, Sibusiso Khumalo.
Midfielders: Hlompho Kekana, Thuso Phala, Thulani Serero, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Ayanda Patosi, Bongani Zungu, Themba Zwane
Strikers: Siphelele Mthembu, Tokelo Rantie
