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'Bafana can't count on Stevie'

Johannesburg - Coach Pitso Mosimane has played down Steven Pienaar's absence ahead of Bafana Bafana's qualifier with Sierra Leone.

The midfielder pulled out of the squad to tackle the West Africans with a groin injury, which ruled him out of Everton's 2-0 away win against Birmingham over the weekend.

"We have enough midfielders and we will not replace him. It shouldn't be a problem that we don't have Pienaar," said 'Jingles'.

"He has been a major part of this team, especially lately. His play says it all, he comes on time and he's been supplying the goals in the last two games.

"It is a challenge but we've got enough players. We should get over it and continue.

"I can't tell you today who is going to replace him but in my mind yes I have somebody but I want to see it first at training."

Mosimane further revealed that Pienaar is gutted at missing the trip to Freetown on Sunday. "He called me personally on Saturday, the day Everton played. He was going to his club's physio and just for him to call me it shows he really wanted to be here.

"You can tell he is not happy to be missing out. I wish him a speedy recovery," said the former SuperSport United coach.

Bafana team doctor Ephraim Nematswerani revealed there are more injury worries in the Bafana camp ahead of the clash.

"The other players with knocks are Andile Jali, who sustained a contusion (bruise) during the MTN8 final. It is a mild contusion, something that we can manage and treat throughout the week. Aaron Mokoena also sustained a slight groin injury; he's got minor groin pains. Both these players, Andile and Aaron, will be monitored throughout the week. It is not something we can't manage. It will be treated successfully.

"As for Pienaar we received a full medical report from the head of the medical department at Everton stating that he's got an injury. More importantly we also received a scan report from radiologists at a private hospital in England confirming he's got a grade one right groin muscle tear," Nematswerani concluded.
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