FOOTBALL NEWS - Bafana Bafana have suffered a number of injury and suspension blows ahead of the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo has been withdrawn from the squad due to an injury while Erick Mathoho is serving a suspension after being red-carded in the match against Cape Verde.
The 22-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns defender Motjeka Madisha and Cape Town City captain Robyn Johannes have been called up to the squad as replacements for Hlatshwayo and Mathoho.
“I made a club visit to Sundowns this week where I watched the training and I had a meeting with Pitso and the staff. It was interesting to see the work that they are doing.
"I asked them specifically about Madisha and said I was trying to be a little sensible with him because he got into the Sundowns team and became successful, but is that his level?
"Should we just leave him at that or should we push him quickly into the national team?
"I think he is certainly national team material, but you got to be hand in hand with the club and we both agreed that he is ready,” said Bafana coach Stuart Baxter.
“When Tyson pulled out and we found out that we are not going to have the second game then it was about rewarding a player that has been outstanding for his team and I think Robyn has been a very important part of Cape Town City, both last year and this year.
"People have got to believe that if they play well in the PSL they will get into the national team,” continued Baxter.
