Bafana Bafana have completed their preparations ahead of tonight’s friendly international match against Burkina Faso at the Ellis Park Stadium, but not without yet another setback. Pitso Mosimane has revealed they will have to also make do without Kagisho Dikgacoi for the match after the midfielder could not resolve his work-permit and visa challenges on time and was stuck in England.
“We have to accept he will not be here; it’s one thing that is beyond his control, my control or anyone’s control for that matter. It would have been great to have him in this squad, but we have to go out there and play the match knowing he is not,” Mosimane says.
Dikgacoi’s absence means that Mosimane will now be minus four key players: Belgium-based defender Anele Ngcongca suffered an Achilles tendon injury during a League game for Racing Genk at the weekend, while Reneilwe Letsholonyane and Steven Pienaar are also out injured.
However, Bafana will welcome the return of Bongani Khumalo, Thulani Serero and Thanduyise Khuboni – the trio missed South Africa’s last match against Egypt in June.
“It’s a tough game for us, and also very important as we are preparing for Niger. Given a chance, yes ... I would love to play, but I will leave that to the coach. We have studied our opponents and we know what to expect, so we are ready,” Serero says.
“If we play our normal match and not rush things or panic, then we should be able to get a positive result. I have put in a lot of work since my injury and I am confident that I am back to my fitness,” Khuboni adds.
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