Bafana news: Mosimane to replace two key players

Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba are ruled out of the Afcon clash against Eritrea. The match kicks off 18:00 on Wednesday night at the Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo, Egypt.

The Mamelodi Sundowns duo picked up injuries during Bafana Bafana’s hard fought 2-1 victory over Guinea last Saturday in Soweto. Their absence leaves Mosimane without two influential players.

TEBOHO MOKOENA AND AUBREY MODIBA RULED OUT OF AFCON CLASH AGAINST ERITREA

Modiba was forced off in the second half after suffering hamstring tightness following a heavy physical workload. Mokoena also experienced significant discomfort during the final stages of the match but remained on the field because Bafana Bafana had exhausted their substitution windows.

The midfielder managed to complete the match and help South Africa secure an important victory, but further assessment has now ruled him out of the next fixture.

Speaking from Bafana Bafana’s camp in Egypt, Mosimane confirmed that neither player has trained since the squad arrived in Cairo. Both players were sent for comprehensive scans by the medical team, with the results confirming their injuries.

The players are being monitored and treated on a daily basis, but Mosimane admitted that their chances of recovering in time for Sunday’s international friendly against Egypt are very minimal.

“Mokoena was pulling that leg with a few minutes to go, and he gave us everything to finish the game,” said Mosimane.

“Aubrey is not available; Teboho is not available. They haven’t trained since we came. The doctor took them for scans, and the scans, in a nutshell, showed that they are injured, and we can’t use them.”

Mosimane also highlighted the importance of the two players to the team after their contribution against Guinea.

“Who would not use the players who have helped us to be where we are at this point in time? Unfortunately, they will not be available,” he said.

The injuries also provide an early indication of the physical demands facing Bafana Bafana during this international period. Mosimane had defended his decision to bring an expanded 30 man squad into his second tenure, with the coach aware of the workload currently placed on professional footballers.

LIKELY REPLACEMENTS

Mosimane has two left-backs available to cover Modiba. The first is Samukele Kabini, the 22-year-old who plays for Malmo in Norway with four caps for South Africa. There is also Modiba’s Sundowns teammate, Fawaaz Basadien, 29 with five caps.

In the absence of Mokoena in the number six role, an Afcon appearance will be up for grabs for players like Bathusi Aubaas and Brooklyn Poggenpoel. The 33-year-old Aubaas holds 17 caps, which include massive games in the Afcon and the FIFA World Cup. Poggenpoel, 23, from Durban City FC, is still awaiting for his official debut for Bafana in a competitve match.

WHO SHOULD START THE AFCON GAME AGAINST ERITREA AT LEFT-BACK AND IN MIDFIELD?

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