Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns winger Thapelo Masko has been ruled out of the rest of the Africa Cup of Nations, while no replacement will be called up.
Maseko had to come off in the quarter-final win against Cape Verde with what looked like a hamstring injury.
Broos has now confirmed that Maseko, who came on as a substitute in every game so far, has been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament.
The Belgian also explained that he will not call up any replacement for the speedy winger due to the admin involved and the short timeframe to a potential final or third-place playoff.
“A little update about the injured player, Thapelo Maseko – he has a muscle injury, grade 3,” he said on Tuesday.
“But he stays with us, he doesn’t go to South Africa and we won’t replace him.
“There is trouble with visa and the flight and if we should replace him, this player will only arrive Thursday, or worst case Friday.
“So we don’t want to do that, even if we have no opportunities to solve the problem in the group. Thapelo will not be replaced but the tournament for him is finished.”
Bafana face Nigeria in their first AFCON semi-final in 24 years on Wednesday Stade de la Paix in Bouaké at 19:00.
