Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualifier preparations have been hit by Covid-19, with striker Thabiso Kutumela and defender Thibang Phete ruled out of their upcoming clashes.
Bafana team doctor Tshepo Molobi confirmed the pair did not travel to Zimbabwe with coach Hugo Broos’ squad ahead tomorrow’s Group G opener in Harare and the squad will undergo another round of test upon arrival.
Broos is hoping for no more disruptions with the Belgian finalising his starting XI.
He says: “I know the team already. Maybe one or two positions [are out]. But for the rest, I have the team in my head.
“I will have my team and will prepare them [today] for Friday.
“They will be ready for Friday’s game, for sure. They’ve been working hard and good.
“Some things can be better, but this is not a problem – we are still learning, I have to get used to them and they have to get used to me. That’s normal. But from what I see in training, they will be ready.”
One position that Broos is definitely sweating on is the crucial defensive midfield role, where his only natural option – Mothiba Mvala – is in a race against time to be fit for tomorrow.
The Mamelodi Sundowns star is recovering from a groin injury, and will stay with the squad with Bafana hosting Ghana at the FNB Stadium on Monday.
But the boss took Mvala with across the border yesterday and says: “We will see. He stays with the group. And then we will see if he recovers.”