Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will likely be compelled to turn to some of the players that he overlooked. This as he gears up for his Africa Cup of Nations 50-man preliminary squad amid striker crises.
Two strikers ruled out
Two of his most trusted strikers Lyle Foster and Lebo Mothiba were reported by their respective clubs that they have been ruled out of the upcoming Afcon. The tournament is set to be staged in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11 2024.
On Monday, Mothiba underwent a successful surgery. This after France Ligue 1 outfit RCS Strasbourg confirmed that their talisman fractured his patella (knee). The injury happened during their 2-1 win over Lorient at the weekend.
Mothiba is set to be out for months, which will automatically rule him out of Broos’ final 23-man squad for Afcon.
Foster, who was on the sidelines after being diagnosed with mental health-related issues, returned to action for Burnley for the first time in over a month. Despite his inspirational return, Burnley coach Vincent Kompany said Foster is not ready to feature in the Afcon.
“Unfortunately, at the moment he’s not in a position where he can go to the national team, he just can’t,” said Kompany.
“It’s not something he can do now, going away for a long time and being in a very different environment.
Snubbed players to save the day
“His love for his country has no limits and his desire to do well has no limits. But that would be going against the advice of every expert who has been assisting him in recent months.”
Some of the players who are doing well who were snubbed by Broos are Pyramids FC (Egypt) striker Fagrie Lakay, Orlando Pirates young prospect Relebohile Mofokeng, IK Sirius (Sweden) star Tashreeq Matthews and Kobamelo Kodisang of Moreirense in Portugal.
The latter have undoubtedly raised their hands and have done well enough at their respective clubs for Broos to turn to them for their services at the Afcon.
Camp in January
Bafana are set to assemble for camp on January 4 and then travel to Stellenbosch for a training camp that will last until January 9.
They will then play a training match against Lesotho behind closed doors at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. Thereafter they will depart for the tournament.
