LEE KHOTLELE
Oupa Manyisa, Thabo Matlaba, Tsepo Masilela, Andile Jali and Sibusiso Vilakazi are the latest players to withdraw from the squad to face Australia and New Zealand.
Yesterday Igesund confirmed that the Amakhosi trio of Bernard Parker, Simphiwe Tshabalala and Bafana skipper, Itumeleng Khune had pulled out of the squad due to injuries.
All three players will go for surgery for their respective injuries. Khune sustained a groin injury while Shabba has a toe problem.
Parker, the PSL top goal scorer (with 10 goals), has had some problems with his knee and played the last game for Chiefs at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on the 10th May 2014.
Masilela and Vilakazi are nursing knee and foot injuries respectively.
However, Igesund still believes that Pirates duo Manyisa and Matlaba are not completely ruled out, as the Bafana team doctor is still going to asses them.
Crystal Palace midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi and FC Rostov Defender Siyanda Xulu also pulled out of the squad earlier owing to leg and ankle injuries respectively and were replaced by Mamelodi Sundowns’ Hlompho Kekana and Chiefs’ Eric Mathoho.
As a result, Igesund has been forced to make a number of changes to his squad, particularly handing Downs’ midfielder maestro, Teko Modise a call up.
Platinum Stars’ Thuso Phala, SuperSport United’s Thato Mokeke and Pirates duo of Senzo Meyiwa and Kermit Erasmus have also been called up.
Bafana will take on Australia at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney on May 26, at 11:30 SA time New Zealand at the Smart Stadium in Auckland on May 30 at 09:30 (SA time).
