Thapelo Maseko forced to bow out of AFCON
While Thapelo Maseko would be expected to return to South Africa following his injury, Bafana coach Hugo Broos prefers he stay.
What a game. Bafana will battle Nigeria in the Afcon 2023 semi-finals on Wednesday at 19:00. In the build-up to the game, coach Hugo Broos has confirmed an unfortunate injury to Bafana forward, Thapelo Maseko.
ALSO READ: Former Chiefs star released after six months
ALSO READ: Sundowns – Rulani gives instructions to Lorch at training
AFCON 2023: NIGERIA VS BAFANA BAFANA
As confirmed last week, Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 in the quarter-finals to seal a place in the last four.
Bafana followed with a 2-0 win over Morocco. The results confirmed a semi-final battle between South Africa and Nigeria on Wednesday at 19:00.
ALSO READ: Orlando Pirates striker given another chance
ALSO READ: PSL return – Orlando Pirates fixtures this month
NO THAPELO MASEKO
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, coach Broos confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns’ Maseko’s tournament is over. The speedy winger suffered a hamstring injury against Cape Verde in the quarter-finals last Saturday.
“A little update about the injured player Thapelo Maseko. So, he has a muscle injury, Grade 3. So, the tournament is almost finished, but he stays with us. He doesn’t go to South Africa,” said Broos via FARPost.
“And we don’t replace him. There are problems with the visa and flights. If we should replace him, the player will arrive on Thursday or, in the worst case, maybe Friday. So, we don’t want to do that, and we have the opportunity to solve the problem in the group. For that, Thapelo will not be replaced,” Broos concluded.
SAFETY WARNING
Meanwhile, the High Commission of Nigeria in Pretoria has urged Nigerians to keep on the safe side before during and after the match.
Nigerians have been asked to avoid provocative behaviour before and after the match and carefully choose where to watch the game against Bafana.
ALSO READ: Nigeria coach on what he wants against Bafana
ALSO READ: Ticket sales – Orlando Pirates vs Kaizer Chiefs
The message was released in a statement that was shared by Unplayable via X.
ALSO READ: ‘Ronwen Williams left home aged 12’ – Father
The match will be live from the Stade Bouake on SABC 1 and SuperSport 202.
The last meeting between South Africa and Nigeria was at Afcon 2019, where the Super Eagles won 2-1.
Additionally, Bafana’s last Afcon semi-final involvement was a 2-0 loss to Nigeria in 2000