South African midfielder Macbeth Sibaya has retired from international football ahead of his country’s final group game at the African Cup of Nations, team officials announced on Monday.
Sibaya, who plays his club football for Rubin Kazan in the Russian league, returned to South Africa last week after his brother died.
It was expected that he would return to Tunisia in time for Bafana’s final match against Morocco — a game they will probably have to win to stand a chance of staying in the competition.
Team officials announced on Monday that the midfielder said he would no longer be playing international football and would not be returning to Tunisia.
South Africa’s Nations Cup campaign has been plagued by problems from the start. Coach Shakes Mashaba was fired a day before the team left for Tunisia, several players withdrew from the squad and after struggling to beat minnows Benin in their opening game, South Africa were hammered 4-0 by Nigeria.
Morocco lead Group D on six points from Nigeria and South Africa, who both have three points. — Sapa-DPA