CHAOS IN BAFANA CAMP
PROBLEMS: HLATSHWAYO LATEST INJURY DOUBT FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIER Khune to hear fate today after suffering facial fracture.
Bafana Bafana captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has also emerged as a doubt for his side’s 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Senegal in Polokwane on Friday evening, with coach Stuart Baxter describing the early stages of build-up to this must-win game as “very chaotic”.
Hlatshwayo’s knock, a contusion of his big toe according to team doctor Thulani Ngwenya, comes on top of an injury to No 1 goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who fractured a bone in his face in Kaizer Chiefs’ Telkom Knockout quarterfinal win over Chippa United on Sunday afternoon.
Ngwenya said they expected Khune to see a specialist this morning and should be able “to confirm the extent of the injury”.
It does, however, seem a longshot for Khune to make Friday’s game. Ngwenya added that Bafana were hopeful that they could manage Hlatshwayo’s injury, though Tyson did sit out Bafana’s opening training session yesterday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Bafana had just 18 players from the 26-man squad in camp by yesterday afternoon, with Kaizer Chiefs’ fit players, Siphiwe Tshabalala and Erick Mathoho, among those who had not yet made it.
“I don’t think there has been one camp I have been on that has not been chaotic in the beginning,” said Baxter.
“And this one was very chaotic, from sitting in the hotel yesterday waiting to get players to watching the (Chiefs) game with Itu and seeing him get the injury, and being in contact with their doctor to find out the extent of it. Then players’ flights left, right and centre don’t get in on time, it is normal and you get used to it but you would like things to be smoother. So it will be nice to get up and go to the stadium and to do a session.”
Baxter reiterated that he wants his side to focus solely on the game in Polokwane and not think ahead to Dakar on November 14. Bafana must beat Senegal in both matches to secure a place at Russia 2018.
“I want us to be thinking this is one game, we have got one game against Senegal. This is one 90 minutes and I think we can win. I am not certain but I really believe we can win.”
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