Polokwane – Bafana Bafana will be without Orlando Pirates defender Thabo Matlaba for Wednesday's crucial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville.
According to Bafana's media officer, Matlhomola Morake, who revealed the news on Wednesday morning via Twitter, Matlaba had been ruled out after he was named in Shakes Mashaba's starting line-up for a fourth successive game.
“Matlaba sustained an Achilles tendon injury at training. Failed late fitness test this morning,” Morake's tweet read.
SuperSport United left-back Sibusiso Khumalo replaces Matlaba for his first appearance of the qualifying campaign.
Siyabonga Nhlapo, who was called up for the injured Anele Ngcongca before the team travelled to Point-Noire last week, comes into the match-day squad to replace Khumalo on the bench.
Mashaba had originally named an unchanged team from the one which beat Congo in Pointe-Noire four days ago, before Matlaba's failed fitness test on Wednesday morning. – Sapa