German-based defender Bradley Carnell has withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad to play Australia at Durban’s Absa stadium on Wednesday night.
Carnell, who plays in the German second division for Karlsruhe, pulled a leg muscle at the weekend.
Speaking at a press conference in Durban on the squad’s arrival, assistant coach Steve Komphela confirmed that the injury-prone Carnell has pulled out of Wednesday’s friendly.
”Carnell spoke to our coach, Stuart Baxter, by telephone today and explained that he was willing to travel to Durban but would not be able to play due to the injury. We will be checking up on the injury with our medical staff and with the doctors at his club to find out how bad the injury is.
”In the meantime, we have decided to replace Caranell with David Kannemeyer of Mamelodi Sundowns,” said Komphela.
Last week, Dutch-based goalkeeper Hans Vonk was forced to withdraw from the squad on the eve of Baxter announcing his 20 players to do battle against the Socceroos.
Seventeen members of the squad arrived in Durban on Sunday, with Charlton Athletic striker Shaun Bartlett, Manchester United’s Quinton Fortune and German-based winger Delron Buckley the only three missing.
”The three [Fortune, Bartlett and Buckley] will all arrive on Tuesday,” said Komphela.
The Bafana assistant coach said the mood in the camp is high: ”We are seeking revenge for the 1-0 defeat the Aussies inflicted on us when we met in London last March. We are approaching this match in a positive frame of mind and we are determined to win in front of our home fans.”
Bafana captain Aaron Mokoena, who plays in the English Premiership for Blackburn Rovers, was also upbeat: ”We were unlucky when we lost in London. I thought we were the better team that night and the Australians know that. They can expect a tough game here. And we are going to give it to them.
”We are a better squad than we were when we played each other last March. We have improved a lot since then. We are more positive this time and are using this as our warm-up game ahead of next month’s crucial World Cup qualifier against Uganda at home.”
He added: ”It is fantastic being here in Durban and aim to make our fans proud.”
Durban-born Bafana winger Sibusiso Zuma is hoping to score a goal in front of his home fans.
”I would love to score here in Durban,” enthused Zuma. ”But just being home is tremendous. I missed the match when Bafana last played in Durban last year and aim to make up for it. I aim to give 200% effort.” — Sapa