Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, has expressed concerns about injuries plaguing South Africa's squad ahead of their World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe.
South Africa's journey begins with a trip to Nigeria on Friday, 7 June where they face the Super Eagles. They then return home for a fixture against The Warriors on Tuesday, 7 June.
Bafana Bafana assembled for their camp on Monday with Given Msimango joining as a replacement for Grant Kekana who suffered an injury during the Nedbank Cup final against Orlando Pirates on Saturday.
Msimango was previously among the players cut from the preliminary squad of 36.
Meanwhile, Mudau who was also struggling with a shoulder injury on Saturday was declared fit to continue after the medical check.
Grant Kekana out, Khuliso Mudau fit to continue after medical check
“These are two important games therefore we decided to free and let him Grant [Kekana] go and we have replaced him with Given Msimango from Kaizer Chiefs,” said Broos during the press conference on Monday afternoon.
“Second problem, well there is no problem, is Khuliso Mudau so everybody knows what happens in the final on Saturday. After the medical check yesterday evening, Doctor gave me the guts, and also the player that it’s not that bad and he will be ready. Also trained today afternoon, for the game on Friday.”
Broos also revealed minor concerns with four other Sundowns players: Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas, and Ronwen Williams.
The 71-year-old coach says there’s nothing much to worry about and believes the players will be available for the match on Friday against Nigeria.
The other four players from Sundowns with minor injury concerns
“Third – Little problems with Teboho [Mokoena], Aubrey Modiba, Bathusi Aubaas and Ronwen Williams. Nothing to worry about, but okay, the little problem is there, but it will give us no problem for the game on Friday,” he added.
“So the guys will train with us, Ronwen a little bit less because he has a shoulder, but for the rest we don’t make problems about that yet.”
Furthermore, Broos acknowledged that Sundowns players seem susceptible to injuries due to their heavy schedule. However, he expressed concern about the nature of the injuries, primarily groin and hamstring strains.
‘Everybody knows that basic of Bafana Bafana is Sundowns’
“It’s amazing that from the six injured players we have there 6 players of the same team, Sundowns. Sundowns had many injuries this season and everybody knows one of the reasons is certainly the overloaded program. They played a lot of games but what is interesting is that 75% of the injuries are groin and hamstring injuries, and I think there has to be something more than that,” he continued.
“I hope that the medical staff of Sundowns can find the reasons for that because next season it will be exactly the same. They will have the same overloaded program, they will play PSL, they will play MTN 8, Champions League, there is even the World Cup for clubs at the end of the season, and I am a little bit worried because in September, October, November we have probably the qualifiers for AFCON, imagine that the same situation is what it is today and that I have to miss six players. Everybody knows that the basic of Bafana Bafana is Sundowns players.”
