No PSL players at World Cup
THERE will be no player from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) at the World Cup in Qatar after Ghana’s Richard Ofori was yesterday left out of their final squad.
On Sunday, reports emerged that Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Ofori was set to miss the global showpiece after sustaining a knee injury during the recent MTN8 final in Durban.
Ofori was pulled out of the starting line-up for the Carling Black Label Cup tie against Kaizer Chiefs and replaced by deputy Siyabonga Mpontshane as Pirates beat their arch rivals on penalties to reach the final.
The Buccaneers’ medical team, according to Ghana’s renowned sports journalist Gary Al-smith, sent MRI scans to Ghana regarding Ofori’s progress.
It emerged that there is fluid on his knee and he won’t recover before the start of the tournament on Sunday.
The 31-year-old will be disappointed at not making the squad, especially after he had made such a good start to the season, helping Bucs secure the MTN8 title.
Ofori was in the Black Stars’ squad in September as they prepared for their group stage clashes against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.
South Africa’s national team Bafana Bafana lost out on a spot in Qatar after losing to Ghana.
South Africa has consistently failed to reach the World Cup finals on numerous occasions, their last appearance being the 2002 Japan/ South Korea tournament.
They played in the 2010 finals by virtue of being the hosts and did not progress beyond the first round of games.
The fact that not one player from South Africa’s elite league will appear in Qatar has cast further doubt over the quality of football being played locally.