Bafana Bafana winger Keegan Dolly has been ruled out of crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya set to be played at the Stade Taieb Mhiri Sfax in Tunisia on Sunday 24 March, due to injury.
According to the South Africa Football Association (SAFA), the left-sided attacker will be unavailable as they face the Mediterranean Knights due to stiffness in his hamstrings.
Dolly only recently recovered from a broken leg sustained while playing for his French club Montpellier. He turned out for their reserve side at the weekend to prove his fitness before joining Bafana.
But on Monday, Dolly picked up a hamstring strain in the first training session of the week in Tunis, Tunisia.
Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter had hoped that he would be fit for the crucial weekend clash, but it was not to be.
“Keagan had been doing very well in training but has had to be ruled out of this encounter due to stiffness in his right hamstring,” said Baxter on the SAFA website.
“We are fully aware that both he and Bongani Zungu came into the camp after being declared medically fit to play, but with the different weather conditions we have had and training on different pitches throughout the week, this has caused some strain on Keagan. The good news, however, is that Bongani though is looking very good in training and has really pushed himself,” Baxter added.
“We also had a little scare with Kamo (Kamogelo Mokotjo) a few days ago, when he had a swollen Achilles but he is now fine and raring to go. Rivaldo Coetzee, who also came into the camp with a little strain from his weekend match, has done very well and there are no worries about him.”
Bafana Bafana are currently in Tunis and are expected to and travel alter today to Sfax where the match will take place.
The two-times Africa champions head into the match needing to avoid defeat against the Mediterranean Knights in order to secure a berth at the finals in Egypt.
A draw in North Africa would be enough for Stuart Baxter’s men to advance alongside Nigeria, who have already secured qualification from Group E.
