Bafana Bafana leftback Mzivukile Tom has been released from the squad to face Egypt in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier scheduled for Ellis Park on the March 26.
Tom is suffering from a groin strain, and was released from the national team after undergoing an MRI scan on Thursday morning shortly before Bafana Bafana’s departure for Rustenburg where they have set up camp.
The Golden Arrows defender has been replaced by Prince Hlela of Bloemfontein Celtic. The player was expected in camp on Thursday evening together with Ajax Cape Town’s Thulani Serero and George Maluleke.
Still to report for national team duty is the duo of Supersport United Morgan Gould and Kermit Erasmus who are in Egypt for their club’s CAF Champions League match against Al-Ahly. They are only expected to arrive on Sunday, March 20, along with the overseas-based players.
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has released three other players from camp — Siyanda Xulu, George Maluleke and Eric Mathoho to join the National under 23 team, which is preparing for the 2012 London Olympic Games qualifier against Libya. The match will be played on Sunday, 27 March 2011 at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.
‘After consultation with Shakes Mashaba we decided that we can release the three players to him. We know Xulu very well because he was with us in all those camps before the 2010 FIFA World Cup when we went to Durban, Brazil and Germany. It is unfortunate that we could not have Mathoho with us as I would have liked to have a closer look at him, but Shakes has challenges due to players who are out injured, like Thulani Hlatshwayo and Sameegh Doutie so I understand where he is coming from.” said Mosimane.
Meanwhile, 5 000 tickets have already been sold for the Bafana Bafana clash against Egypt. Tickets are on sale at Computicket and Shoprite outlets countrywide for R100 for the lower tier and R50 for the upper tier. — Sapa