South Africa goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez has been ruled out of the African Cup of Nations Group D clash against Angola in Ghana next Wednesday.
The national football association said the Germany-based custodian injured several fingers in a warm-up match against Mozambique last Sunday and was a spectator when South Africa beat Botswana 2-1 on Wednesday.
However, officials are hopeful that the Arminia Bielefeld goalkeeper will be available for the other first-round fixtures against 2004 champions Tunisia and Senegal.
Occasional national captain Moeneeb Jospehs, from Johannesburg-based club BIDVest Wits, is the likely replacement with Kaizer Chiefs’ rising star Itumeleng Khune the other candidate.
Bafana Bafana skipper Aaron Mokoena has been passed fit after limping off against Botswana with a shin injury and another absentee, fullback Tsepo Masilela, was rested as a precaution.
The biennial African Nations Cup begins on Sunday in Accra with a Group A game between Ghana, seeking to equal the five-title record of Egypt, and dark horses Guinea. — Sapa-AFP