Bafana Bafana have given an injury update and clarified Njabulo Ngcobo’s call-up, two days ahead of the clash against Zimbabwe.
Coach Hugo Broos will be on the sidelines for a first time when South Africa take on the Warriors in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group.
The coach had announced on Monday that Chiefs defender Ngcobo was called up as 24th player after Mothobi Mvala picked up a minor injury in training.
SAFA have confirmed that Ngcobo’s call up, though, “is not a replacement but merely cautionary”, while team doctor Tshepo Molobi gave an update on the fitness of the Sundowns player.
“There is slight concern on Mvala who has a groin strain which the medical team is working on,” he told SAFA.
Furthermore Siyanda Xulu, who took a knock playing for his team Hapoel Tel Aviv two weeks ago resulting in a minor head injury should be fully recovered by Friday.
“Stitches will be removed today and he will be off the injury-concerns list but I will be monitoring him closely,” Molobi added.
The team doctor also explained why Bafana opted to go into a bio bubble and that four rounds of Covid-19 tests have turned out negative so far.
“Traveling in a pandemic is not easy. We have taken lessons from past camps and have decided that casting a ‘bubble’ lessens the spread and keeps everyone safe, especially with the team traveling internationally, every precaution has been taken,” he added.
Bafana Bafana will depart for Harare on Wednesday afternoon and face the Warriors on Friday at 3 pm.
