BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
Bafana Bafana midfielder Thulani Serero has been declared fit to train and travel with the team.
South Africa faces Mauritania on Saturday, 5 September in Nouakchott, Mauritania in a CAF Orange Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 qualifier.
Serero was called up for national team duty and his club had said he was recovering from an injury – the Bafana Bafana medical team assessed him this morning and found him ready to be part of the squad.
He trained with his compatriots, completed the session and showed no signs of pain.
The session was moved to Sturrock grounds at Wits after the UJ grounds were found to be waterlogged.
“Serero is fine, pain free and was able to complete the training session so we are happy with the results. He is ready to travel with the team. He had an ankle injury which he was recovering from hence the team sent us the scan and the report that had an injury, but he is good to go after we checked him,” said Bafana Bafana medico Dr Thulani Hlatshwayo.
Serero arrived in camp on Tuesday night alongside Germany-based Daylon Claasen, bringing the number of players in camp to 24. Only Kaizer Chiefs left back Tsepo Masilela hasn’t reported for national team duty after his club informed Bafana Bafana that he was injured.
“We had requested that he also come in for medical assessment, just like Serero, but the status quo with Masilela remains the same from yesterday – he has not yet arrived in camp and the issue has been reported to the Association so they can deal with it administratively because it is now out of our hands. And that’s where we are at the moment,” added Dr Ngwenya.
Mzikayise Mashaba did not finish the session after he was injured at training on his ankle, but he should be fit for the match.
Eric Mathoho, who sat out training on Tuesday as a precaution after he complained of pains on his foot, was back at training and showed no signs of discomfort.
Meanwhile Bafana Bafana have called off the Wednesday afternoon training session to give the players a bit of rest ahead of the trip to Mauritania.
The squad leaves on Thursday, 3 September on a 13h00 flight.
They will have their last training session on Friday at the match venue in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
Bafana Bafana are expected back in the country on Sunday, 6 September at 06h00.
They will then start preparations for the 2015 Nelson Mandela Challenge clash against Senegal which takes place on Tuesday, 8 September at Orlando Stadium. Kick-off is at 19h00.
Bafana Bafana players in camp
NO. |
PLAYER’S NAME |
CLUB |
GOALKEEPERS: |
||
| 1. | Jackson MABOKGWANE | Mpumalanga Aces FC (SA) |
| 2. | Itumeleng KHUNE | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| 3. | Ronwen WILLIAMS | Supersport United FC (SA) |
| DEFENDERS: | ||
| 4. | Erick MATHOHO | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| 5. | Rivaldo COETZEE | Ajax Cape Town FC (SA) |
| 6. | Thulani HLATSHWAYO | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| 7. | Siyabonga NHLAPHO | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| 8. | Anele NGCONGCA | Racing Genk FC (Belgium) |
| 9. | Mzikayise MASHABA | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 10. | Siyabonga ZULU | Platinum Stars FC (SA) |
| 11. | Tsepo MASILELA not arrived | Kaizer Chiefs FC (SA) |
| MIDFIELDERS: | ||
| 12. | Dean FURMAN | Supersport United FC (SA) |
| 13. | Andile JALI | KV Oostende FC (Belgium) |
| 14. | Bongani ZUNGU | Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 15. | Mandla MASANGO | Randers FC (Denmark) |
| 16. | Phumlani NTSHANGASE | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| 17. | Jabulani SHONGWE | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| 18. | Themba ZWANE | Mamelodi Sundowns FC (SA) |
| 19. | Mpho MAKOLA | Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
| 20. | Ayanda PATOSI | Lokeren FC (Belgium) |
| 21. | Daylon CLAASEN | 1860 Munich (Germany) |
| STRIKERS: | ||
| 22. | Thulani SERERO | Ajax Amsterdam FC (Holland) |
| 23. | Thamsanqa GABUZA | Orlando Pirates FC (SA) |
| 24. | Sibusiso VILAKAZI | Bidvest Wits FC (SA) |
| 25. | Tokelo RANTIE | AFC Bounermouth FC (England) |
-TDN
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