It was indeed a surprise when Bafana Bafana arrived in Aberdeen on Monday for their friendly international against Scotland without crafty Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Surprise Moriri.
”Moriri reported to the team camp in Johannesburg shortly before the squad’s departure with an injury he picked up in the 2-1 CAF Confederation Cup win against Douala at Loftus [Versfeld, in Pretoria] on Saturday night,” revealed South African Football Association communications director Morio Sanyane.
After the injury had been examined by the team doctor, it was decided it would serve no purpose to take Moriri along to Scotland.
Sanyane said Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira had decided not to seek a replacement at such short notice and would rely on the remaining 21 players for the game in Aberdeen.
Moriri has been a first-choice in the Bafana line-up in recent matches, but the squad is well endowed in the midfield department and the absence of the Sundowns schemer is clearly not viewed as a disaster by Parreira, with players of the calibre of Steven Pienaar, Macbeth Sibaya, Papi Zothwane, Siyabonga Nkosi, Teko Modise, Delron Buckley and Dillon Sheppard to choose from.
The 11 South African-based players met up with the other 10 who play for clubs in Europe soon after their arrival in London, with the entire squad travelling to Scotland.
”The players are in high spirits,” said Safa media officer Sifiso Cele, who is travelling with the squad, ”apart from being a little exhausted after all the travelling immediately after many of them had played in Premier Soccer League matches over the weekend.”
Meanwhile, Scotland are reportedly approaching the game with a dead-earnest attitude for two reasons.
They aim to earn a measure of revenge for the defeat suffered against Bafana in the only international between the two countries in Hong Kong shortly before the 2002 World Cup, and as preparation for a gruelling series of European Nations Cup qualifiers that await them in the near future. — Sapa