Bafana walking wounded ahead of NMC

Cape Town - As many as four key players are expected to sit out Bafana Bafana’s international friendly against Senegal on Tuesday.

Following South Africa's 3-1 defeat away to Mauritania, SAFA.net reports that defensive trio Eric Mathoho, Rivaldo Coetzee and Anele Ngcongca are doubtful with goalscorer Thamsanqa Gabuza also unlikely to feature in the Nelson Mandela Challenge match at the Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.

Mathoho suffered a shoulder injury and will undergo a scan to check the extent of his injury while centre-back partner Coetzee was seen limping after the match due to an ankle sprain.

Ngcongca was involved in a clash of heads in the second half and suffered a mild concussion while Gabuza was complaining of a painful knee.

“From the first assessment immediately after the match all four are not looking good, but we will do a further check and take it from there. If they are too serious we would not want to aggravate them but instead give them a rest,” said Bafana Bafana medico Dr Thulani Ngwenya.

SAFA has also revealed that Lokeren winger Ayanda Patosi has been released from camp due to an urgent family commitment. 

Kick-off for the Nelson Mandela Challange is scheduled for 19:00.