Helman Mkhalele

Helman Mkhalele, assistant coach of Bafana Bafana during the International Friendly Bafana Bafana training at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, on 09 June 2021 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Covid-19 hits COSAFA Cup: Bafana Bafana coach in isolation 24 hours ahead of kick-off!

Bafana Bafana coach Helman Mkhalele and goalkeeping coach Lucky Shiburi are in isolation following a round of Covid-19 screening tests on Monday.

Helman Mkhalele

Helman Mkhalele, assistant coach of Bafana Bafana during the International Friendly Bafana Bafana training at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, on 09 June 2021 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Bafana Bafana coach Helman Mkhalele and goalkeeping coach Lucky Shiburi are in isolation following a round of Covid-19 screening tests on Monday. 

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According to the official Bafana Bafana Twitter account, this is “as a precautionary measure, pending confirmatory testing”.

South Africa are set to face Botswana in their opening COSAFA Cup match on Tuesday, 6 July at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

Kick-off is scheduled for 17:00.

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Bafana Bafana will be coached by Mkhalele after new national coach Hugo Broos was excused – yet again – from taking charge.

Meanwhile, Mkhalele was on Monday forced into several last-minute squad changes and will have to make do without the Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates players in his original squad.

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UPDATED BAFANA BAFANA COSAFA CUP SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Lincoln Vyver (Cape Town Spurs)

Defenders: Rushine de Reuck (Mamelodi Sundowns), Nyiko Mobbie (Mamelodi Sundowns), Njabulo Ngcobo (Swallows), Sifiso Ngobeni (Bloem Celtic), Basil Mphahlele (Baroka), Austin Dube (Richards Bay)

Midfielders: Sphelele Mkhulise (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ethan Books (TS Galaxy), Siyethemba Sithebe (AmaZulu), Kgaogelo Sekgota (Swallows), Tiklas Thutlwa (Black Leopards), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune), Bright Ndlovu (Jomo Cosmos), Kagiso Malinga (Swallows), Siyanda Msani (AmaTuks)

Attackers: Thabang Sibanyoni (TS Galaxy), Masilake Pholongo (TS Galaxy), Monnapule Saleng (Free State Stars)