Bafana Bafana had two injury scares at training at Milpark on Friday ahead of their friendly international against Poland at the Orlando Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Midfield kingpin Teko Modise and Israel-based left back Tsepo Masilela sat out the two hour session.
But head coach Joel Santana was confident the Orlando Pirates star Modise would recover from a tight muscle and play against Poland. However, he said that Masilela would not be risked.
”We rested Modise [at training] as a precaution. I think he will be fit to play against Poland but not Masilela. He needs more rest,” said Santana.
Masilela injured his knee with his club Maccabi Haifa and Santana said that with the opening Confederations Cup group A match against Iraq nine days away on June 14 at Ellis Park, there was no point it taking any chances.
Pirates left back Innocent Mdledle is set to play in Masilela’s place while Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphiwe Tshabalala deputised at training when Santana played his starting line-up against the other members of the squad. Both Santana and his captain Aaron Mokoena stated it was crucial to beat 39th ranked Poland.
Said Santana: ”We have worked hard and build up a good team spirit over the past three weeks and now we will put all the hard work we have done on the training pitch into practice against Poland. I am confident we have chosen the right combinations and need a win before the start of the Confederations Cup.”
The head coach said it was important not just for the players’ morale to beat the tough Eastern Europeans, who arrived on Friday, but for the fans.
Said Santana: ”We want to lift the spirit of the country before the Confederations Cup and we can do that by playing well and beating Poland. But, if we have problems against Poland, we have a week to fix them. But I am confident we can succeed.”
Mokoena said he was looking forward to playing with his new central defensive partner Matthew Booth now that Spanish-based defender Nasief Morris was axed for disciplinary reasons.
Said Mokoena: ”Matthew is very experienced and so am I — this will be a big factor for us. I am going to enjoy playing with him. It will be a new challenge and I know that we will work well together.”
Mokoena said he had watched a DVD of Poland losing 2-1 to the Czech Republic. ”Poland are an aggressive, hard running side with pace. But I believe tactically we can beat them. We, as players, know it is vital to win and set the mood for the Confederations Cup and we are determined to go out and give our best.”