Polokwane - Andile Jali faces a late fitness test to determine his availability for Bafana Bafana’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Senegal at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday, team doctor Thulani Ngwenya revealed on Wednesday morning.
The Belgian-based midfielder missed the national team’s opening Group D match away to Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou last month because of a thigh injury that has also kept him out of action at his club KV Oostende. Jali took part in Bafana’s first training session following his return back to the side yesterday, but did not feature in a practice match against an ABC Motsepe League side later that afternoon.
“He has a thigh muscle injury,” Ngwenya said. “We need to manage him and we have been treating him here in camp hoping that he manages to play on Saturday.” Jali, 26, has only played in one league match for Oostende this season, spending most of his time watching from the sidelines as he has not fully recovered.
Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba opted for Hlompho Kekana and Dean Furman as his preferred combination in the centre of midfield in the 1-1 draw away to Burkina Faso at the Stade du 4 Aout, with Furman getting his name on the score sheet. He too, however, is an injury doubt having hurt his rib cage during his club SuperSport United’s Telkom Knockout quarterfinal penalty shoot-out win against Mamelodi Sundowns four days ago.
“He didn’t feel it when it happened and only realised when he arrived in camp. We are also managing him and have taken him for a scan now at 11am, and those results should tell us if he is able to play or not,” the Bafana doctor explained.
Also on the injury list with Ngwenya hopeful for a quick recovery in time to face group leaders Senegal are goalkeeper Ronwen Williams (collar bone) and Tebogo Langerman (hamstring).
@superjourno
@extrastrongsa
Independent Media