Sydney - Bafana Bafana defender Erick Mathoho will travel back to South Africa immediately after taking part in Monday's international friendly against Australia, to attend the funeral of his cousin, who passed away this weekend.
The news of the sad passing reached the Kaizer Chiefs defender in Sydney on Sunday, on the eve of Bafana's meeting with the World Cup-bound Socceroos.
As a result, Mathoho will not join the rest of the squad in New Zealand for their international friendly in Auckland.
Bafana's media officer, Dominic Chimhavi, confirmed the news, adding that a replacement will not be called up to the team.