Cruel blow for Bafana coach
Johannesburg - Caretaker Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane will weigh up his options before naming a replacement for injured left-wing Dillon Sheppard.
Mosimane described Sheppard's broken foot as a cruel blow as he prepared his squad to play Zambia at Lusaka's Independence Stadium on October 8 in a crucial African Nations Cup qualifier.
The irony is that the Mamelodi Sundowns star suffered the injury late in the Supa8 Cup semi-final against Mosimane's own club, SuperSport United. Sheppard will be out of action for six weeks.
Mosimane said: "It was an accident and one of those things that happen in football.
"I am sorry for Sheppard and for Bafana as he was playing at his best.
"Even more important, he has struck up a good understanding with left-back Bradley Carnell for Bafana. That is one combination we will miss."
But, Mosimane added: "I still have about seven days to find a replacement. There are a couple of options open to me and I will have a good look before making up my mind."
Monitoring his players
Mosimane will also place a striker on standby in case Danish-based Siyabonga Nomvete fails to recover from an injury.
Mosimane said: "I have been monitoring all my players. I discovered Nomvete was rested at the weekend as his club (Aarlborg BK) were not prepared to risk him.
"I spoke to him and hopefully the injury is not serious, but I will watch the situation closely just in case."
Meanwhile neither German-based midfielders Sibusiso Zuma nor Elrio van Heerden have recovered from long-term injuries.
Mosimane said: "I would have loved to have both or either available, but only Van Heerden has started training and he is nowhere near match-fit."
News source: www.news24.co.za
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