Percy Tau of South Africa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals quarterfinal game between Nigeria and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on 10 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Bafana lose Tau, Mothiba to injury ahead of Mali clash
Bafana Bafana will be without the strike pair of Percy Tau and Lebo Mothiba when they take on Mali in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Percy Tau of South Africa during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals quarterfinal game between Nigeria and South Africa at Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on 10 July 2019 © Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Injury has forced Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki into possibly altering his game plan for Sunday afternoon’s friendly against Mali, with Percy Tau and Lebo Mothiba ruled out of the clash.
It’s the first match in charge of the senior team for the former SA Under-17 coach, who has already had to make three changes to his original 23-man squad.
Bafana lose two key players for Mali friendly
He has been dealt a twin blow this time around, exactly on match day, with the two strikers, who were both likely to start in Port Elizabeth.
Both players had been nursing niggles in the build-up to the game, and have sat out training session in the past week.
Tau was initially said to be on track to recover in time to contend for a starting place but, according to team doctor Thulani Ngwenya, he along with the Racing Strasbourg forward have failed late fitness tests, and will not be considered for selection.
“This has been one of the most difficult camps ever in terms of injuries, and while we have done the best we can to get all the players ready for this important match, it is unfortunate that Lebo and Percy failed a late fitness test and thus cannot be part of the match day squad. We can only wish them a speedy recovery,” Ngwenya said.
Dr Thulani Ngwenya
Twin blow depletes Ntseki’s strike options
With the duo withdrawn on match day, there will be no replacements called up, reducing the number of players at Ntseki’s disposal to 21.
The hardest hit is the strike department, where two of the local league’s leading goal scorers, Bradley Grobler and Kermit Erasmus are the only two recognised forwards available for selection.
However, there is still the likes of Themba Zwane and Thembinkosi Lorch, who both primarily play as wingers, but can play up front when needed.
Tau and Mothiba’s withdrawal follows just after Ntseki had to let goalkeeper, Brandon Petersen, defender Thamsanqa Mkhize, as well as midfielder Bongani Zungu from the squad.
Richard Goss, Tshepo Rikhotso and Mothobi Mvala have had to be called up in their places respectively, while Chiefs centre-back, Erick Mathoho was another player under an injury cloud throughout the lead up to the match.
The game kicks off at 15:00.
