Bafana Bafana boss Molefi Ntseki has given the latest injury update on Percy Tau and Andile Jali ahead of their crunch clash against Sudan on Sunday afternoon.
Bafana practically have one mission to do on Sunday and that is to avoid defeat at all costs. This comes after they dropped points in the 1-1 stalemate to Ghana on Thursday at the FNB stadium.
Mamelodi Sundowns star Jali suffered what looked like a serious injury and had to be stretchered off in the first half. It was another worrying sign for Ntseki as goal-scorer Tau was seen limping just towards the end of both halves in the game.
The 51-year-old manager has now given an update on the fitness of both players.
“We selected 26 players, we selected those players based on eventualities like that where somebody gets injured or something happens to our players, it is so unfortunate for Andile Jali,” Ntseki told SABC after the game.
“I remember when we selected the team for Sao Tome [and Principe] he got injured in the last minute of the game and he could not make it to the camp, we’ve been talking to him and he was looking forward to being part of this camp.
“For him to get injured in the first-half I think it’s bit of a disappointment from his side, I can see even now he’s almost in tears but I think with Percy Tau the medical team will work on him, the rest of the guys will have to carry the flag in Sudan.”
Bafana need just a point in their final fixture while Sudan must claim a win if they are to advance. Ntseki adds that the added pressure on Sudan will play out to South Africa’s favour.
“In football, there’s something very interesting, if you look we had more possession, very good opportunities but unfortunately we ended up with a draw and I think going to Sudan it’s for them to lose,” he said.
“Because they will be coming at us and we already have a plan for that, they have to play to win, a draw is not going to help them. So in this case they will have to come at us and coming to us we have very good players who can play on a transition and get us a win.”