Thamsanqa Mkhize of South Africa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Quarterfinal football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 10 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
Bafana Bafana: Mkhize doubtful for Sudan clash
Thamsanqa Mkhize is back on the physio’s table, and is aa doubtful starter for Bafana as they face Sudan on Sunday.
Thamsanqa Mkhize of South Africa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals Quarterfinal football match between Nigeria and South Africa at the Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt on 10 July 2019 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix
There are some good and bad news for Bafana Bafana in the injury front, with one player returning to full fitness, while another is a doubtful starter ahead of Sunday’s game.
South Africa return to action on Sunday, as they face Sudan in an Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) encounter at Orlando Stadium.
Bafana injury news
They emerged from their previous outing against Ghana with a couple of knocks.
Bongani Zungu was ruled out of Sunday’s match by coach Molefi Ntseki, and there is now a second injury concern in Cape Town City defender, Thamsanqa Mkhize, who is in a race against time to be fit for the encounter.
The right back sustained a knee injury in the latter stages of the defeat to the Black Stars, and is a doubtful starter against Sudan.
While Mkhize’s unavailability will certainly leave the Bafana defence weaker, there was a bit of relief in the midfield, with Brentford City player, Kamohelo Mokotjo declared fit after missing the game against Ghana.
Mokotjo back to bolster midfield
According to team doctor Thulani Ngwenya, the midfielder was rested on Thursday after a busy week with the English club.
“A lot of people have been asking … what is happening and why he (Mokotjo) was not part of the 23-man squad (in Ghana).
“After assessment from the medical team, together with the physical trainer, we realised Kamo had played six games in three weeks, and played 90 minutes in all those games. He arrived in camp the day before the actual match, and when we assessed him and his condition he was really fatigued … we took the decision to rest him for Ghana so he would be fresher for Sudan.
“Mkhize sustained an ankle injury in the 78th minute of the game. We had to strap him, because we were already done with our substitutes. That was another setback and we are treating him. He has shown a marked improvement and a final decision will be made later (at training).”
Bafana are currently third in Group C of the qualifiers, and meet a Sudanese side on a high after kicking off the qualifiers with an emphatic 4-0 win at home to Sao Tome.
Sunday’s match is the third meeting between the two nations, with South Africa winning the two previous encounters.
Kick off is at 15:00.
