15 November 2023 – Bafana Bafana’s plans and preparations for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin at home and Rwanda away remain on track, even though injuries and withdraws have had an impact on the South African senior national team.
South African senior national team coach Hugo Broos’ charges host Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday 18 November 2023 and then travel to East-Central Africa to face Rwanda in the second FIFA World Cup qualifier on Tuesday 21 November 2023.
Lyle Foster, Njabulo Blom, Grant Kekana and Thapelo Maseko were part of coach Hugo Broos’ initial plans for these crunch matches, but things did not go according to plan and changes had to be made.
“Lebo Mothiba’s team sent through a medical report and we had to call in reinforcement on Sunday night. We could not risk Lebo, and Evidence Makgopa was called up as his replacement that same night,” said Team Doctor Tshepo Molobi.
Grant Kekana and Thapelo Maseko joined the Bafana Bafana camp in Pretoria on Monday, but also had to undergo medical tests.
“Grant had a scan on Monday when he arrived at camp and we could not risk it. We had to let him recoup as there was no guarantee that the medical team could have him ready by Saturday in Durban or Tuesday in Rwanda next week.
“So it was best that we let him continue with treatment and allowed him the time he needed to fully recover. Thapelo Maseko’s scans also revealed that it was best to release him and let him rest as well. They have also had a lot of games and needed the time to bounce back to full health, and that is why they are not in camp.”
Thapelo Xoki and Elias Mokwana have joined the team as their replacements.
Dr Molobi said while most of the more serious injury woes have been handled, his medical room is still busy. “We can never, ever as a national team have full fitness with no concerns. We have niggles that we are treating, but nothing serious at the moment and we hope that it stays this way.”
With two big games looming, Bafana Bafana cannot afford to have any more changes to the team.
The tickets to the World Cup qualifier against Benin are available for purchase at Ticketpro. General admission tickets are available at R50 (adults) and R20 (kids under 13 Years).
Please see the link for tickets available on the TicketPro website here: https://www.ticketpros.co.za/portal/web/index.php/event/249529dd-a998-790a-cafe-6549e8be61e4