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Cape Town - Mamelodi Sundowns forward Phakamani Mahlambi has been removed from Bafana Bafana's COSAFA Cup squad over reports he was intoxicated in camp.
Reports coming from the camp suggests Mahlambi was discovered to be drunk at some point and was subsequently handed his marching orders by coach David Notoane and his technical team.
As such, the young striker has been replaced by Cape Town City winger Gift Links ahead of Sunday's quarter-final encounter against Botswana.
Notoane revealed the player was released but was unwilling to divulge full details as to exactly why.
"Mahlambi reported for camp on Sunday like most of the players and we had a very long meeting with him and management," Notoane said as quoted by SAFA.
"He asked to be released from the camp to deal with personal issues that I was aware of from the discussions that I had with his father.
"We sat down with management and had to discuss the repercussions of us releasing the player from camp, and quickly had to find a replacement, which is why it has taken us a few days to report on the matter,” he added.
"I have now heard media reports that he was 'booted' out of camp for alcohol abuse but we have no evidence of this. We have called up Gift Links who arrived today (Wednesday, 29 May 2019) and will continue with our preparations for the match on Sunday," concluded Notoane.
Mahlambi had seemingly been earmarked as a key performer in the COSAFA Cup and also had every chance of challenging for a place in the Africa Cup of Nations squad under senior national team coach Stuart Baxter.
However, his future in international football is now seriously in doubt following his alleged ill-discipline.
BAFANA BAFANA COSAFA CUP SQUAD:
Goalkeepers:
Mondli Mpoto (Bloemfontein Celtic), Darren Johnson (Ajax Cape Town), Reyaad Pieterse (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defenders:
Thendo Mukumela (Ajax), Keanu Cupido (Cape Town ), Reeve Frosler (Chiefs), Tercious Malepe (Chippa), Katlego Mohamme (SuperSport), Bongani Sam (Bloemfontein), Sandie Mthethwa (Richards Bay)
Midfielders:
Teboho Mokoena (Supersport) , Athenkosi Dlala (Supersport) , Kegan Dolly (Montpellier), Sipho Mbule (Supersport), Kamohelo Mahlatsi (Supersport) Grant Margeman (Ajax), Jamie Webber (Supersport) Kgaogelo Sekgota (Vitoria Setubal, (Portugal)
Strikers:
Gift Links (Cape Town City), Lerato Lepasa (TS Galaxy), Jemondre Dickens (Baroka ), Luther Singh GD (Chaves, Portugal), Liam Jordan Koge FC (Denmark)
