Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has revealed that former Orlando Pirates striker Tokelo Rantie was in the initial 25-man national team squad to face Brazil and Mozambique, but had to be withdrawn because he is not fully fit.
Igesund, speaking at a press conference at SAFA House, said that he spoke to Rantie's coach at Malmo, who said despite scoring two goals, the player is not fully fit.
Igesund added that in the past two games Rantie only played 35 to 40 minutes due to lack of fitness.
"I spoke to the coach and he told me that he would not give 100 percent recommendation for the player because he is not fully fit. He said that it would be advisable that he waits until he is fully fit.
"I then spoke to Rantie himself who also said he would have loved to play against a team like Brazil but he wants to play when he is fully fit and enjoy his game. So it is for that reason that we agreed that I should excuse him for these two games," the former Moroka Swallows coach concluded.
Igesund, speaking at a press conference at SAFA House, said that he spoke to Rantie's coach at Malmo, who said despite scoring two goals, the player is not fully fit.
Igesund added that in the past two games Rantie only played 35 to 40 minutes due to lack of fitness.
"I spoke to the coach and he told me that he would not give 100 percent recommendation for the player because he is not fully fit. He said that it would be advisable that he waits until he is fully fit.
"I then spoke to Rantie himself who also said he would have loved to play against a team like Brazil but he wants to play when he is fully fit and enjoy his game. So it is for that reason that we agreed that I should excuse him for these two games," the former Moroka Swallows coach concluded.