Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter is at sixes and sevens ahead of the most important game in the country’s recent histo...
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Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter is at sixes and sevens ahead of the most important game in the country’s recent history.
Baxter and his players arrived in Limpopo yesterday for Friday’s must win 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal at the Peter Mokaba Stadium (7pm).He travelled with injured goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune, who fractured a bone in his face during Kaizer Chiefs’ Telkom Knockout quarterfinal clash with Chippa United at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday.
But Baxter admits the chances of his star keeper playing on Friday are very slim.
After Friday’s game, a replay of the match Bafana won 2-1 at the same venue last November, Bafana travel to Dakar for their final Group D match against Senegal. Bafana have to win both games to qualify for the World Cup.
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Khune’s injury has stressed Baxter even further. Already out on Friday are key midfielders, Belgian based Andile Jali and Bongani Zungu of French club Amiens.
And to make matters more difficult for Baxter and his charges, Senegal’s star winger Sadio Mane returned ahead of schedule from injury to help his English club Liverpool hammer West Ham United 4-1 at the weekend.
Mane will be key to Senegal’s World Cup hopes against Bafana.
Said a worried Baxter yesterday: “It was a meaningless challenge (on Khune). A plastic surgeon and doctors are assessing the damage to Khune’s face. He has fractured a bone and frankly the chances of him playing on Friday look small. But one never knows until we get a proper medical diagnosis.”
Baxter is left with SuperSport United’s Ronwen Williams and Orlando Pirates veteran keeper Wayne Sandilands as cover.
Khune tweeted yesterday: “God has given you the strength to take on these obstacles. You just need the courage. God is great.” - Daily Sun
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