Double blow for Bafana
2006-05-16 21:35
Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana have suffered two big blows when skipper Aaron Mokoena and midfield ace Elrio van Heerden were both ruled out of the Cosafa Cup clash against Swaziland in Gaborone, Botswana, on Saturday (13:00).
Mokoena, the Blackburn Rovers star, was advised by Bafana doctor Sello Motaung to rest his injured right leg for a further three weeks after scans in Johannesburg revealed the injury picked up on the last day of the English season had not healed as quickly as Mokoena had hoped.
Van Heerden was refused permission by his Belgium team Club Brugge to travel to play in the annual regional southern African tournament.
Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane was disappointed when he made the announcement at training on Tuesday: "It is sad for all of us. I had hoped to use both players. But I could not risk further injury to Mokoena. The doctor told me he needs more rest and I will not put any player's health at risk."
Of Van Heerden, Mosimane said there was nothing he could do. He explained: "The Cosafa Cup is not on the Fifa calendar so I cannot force any club to release players."
Mosimane said he would not call up players to replace Mokoena or Van Heerden: "I have a squad of 20 and I am happy with them."
Either George Mofokeng (Ajax Cape Town) or Mamelodi Sundowns' Benson Mhlongo will replace Mokoena at centreback. Mhlongo is more versatile and is just as effective playing as a defensive midfielder.
But Mofokeng impressed Mosimane on debut in the 0-0 draw against Lesotho in Maseru last week.
"Mofokeng is not stylish but he is effective. I am happy with the way the squad has moulded this week at training. My toughest job is to select the right combination," said Mosimane.
- Daily Sun