A Mamelodi Sundowns contingent of players have joined the Bafana Bafana camp ahead of the inaugural FIFA Series in Algeria despite claims the players were struggling with niggling injuries.
Bafana are putting the final touches to their preparations in Annaba before they participate in the newly established mini-series against European minnows Andorra and African giants Algeria.
Bafana will play their first game against 164th-ranked Andorra at the 19 May 1956 Stadium on Thursday at 23:00 (SA time).
The build-up to the matches have been overshadowed by claims made by Sundowns’ coach Rulani Mokwena that national team skipper Ronwen Williams and midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena were both injured.
“Ronza (Ronwen Williams) is struggling with a shoulder, and we’ve got a very tough CAF Champions League game. Tebza (Teboho Mokoena) is struggling with a knee injury and has had it since Afcon,” Mokwena told the media after the Nedbank Cup 2-0 win over Maritzburg United on Saturday.
“Ronza has had the shoulder problem since Afcon as well and only now we’ve got Mothobi (Mvala) back, Sailor (Khuliso Mudau) back but we still have got a problem with (Thapelo) Maseko, who got an injury at Afcon.”
But the Sundowns boss couldn’t clarify if the injuries were serious enough to rule the players out of international duty.
Rulani Mokwena explains why he didn't play Bafana Bafana players against Maritzburg United. pic.twitter.com/9SBqk2zQOk
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) March 17, 2024
Mokwena’s statement angered Bafana coach Hugo Broos as he said that information should have been shared with the national team medical department. Which Sundowns failed to do.
“If they are really injured, they have to inform us and not talk with the press,” Broos said on Tuesday from Algeria.
“We have a doctor, they (Sundowns) know that. They have the phone number of the doctor.
“So, why don’t they call us and tell us they are not able (to attend the national team camp) and give us a medical report?
“They didn’t do it, and that means they (players) are fit.
“I’m sorry, I can’t go on rumours saying that coach Rulani or maybe the technical director is telling me they are injured.
“Give me a medical report and then our doctor will decide if they are injured or not,” Broos said.
“I think this is something very important and you have to discuss that with the doctors and not in the press. I’m very sorry, but I’m upset.”
However, Safa Media released a statement stating that coach Broos has his full complement of players in camp after the outstanding personnel arrived in Annaba on Tuesday night.
“Goalkeeper coach Grant Johnson arrived with the Mamelodi Sundowns contingent led by captain Ronwen Williams, and SuperSport United’s Siyanda Xulu. Johnson and the eight players joined the rest of their teammates who arrived in the North African country on Monday night,” reads the SAFA statement.
Bafana will face off with host Algeria at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Tuesday, 23:00 before returning home on the next day.
Full Bafana Bafana 23-man squad:
Goalkeepers:
Ronwen Williams, Bruce Bvuma, Ricardo Goss
Defenders:
Sydney Mobbie, Grant Kekana, Terrence Mashego, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Thapelo Morena, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Tapelo Xoki
Midfielders:
Teboho Mokoena, Siphephelo Sithole, Goodman Mosele, Grant Margeman
Attackers:
Themba Zwane, Patrick Maswanganyi, Oswin Appollis, Mihlali Mayambela, Mlondi Mbanjwa, Elias Mokwana, Iqraam Rayners, Khanyisa Mayo
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos explains why he excluded Percy Tau from his current squad. pic.twitter.com/iM8HxeBEi3
— Mahlatse Mphahlele (@BraMahlatse) March 11, 2024
