The
match kicks-off at 20h15.
South
Africa will be without Belgium-based defender Anele Ngcongca whose club refused
to allow him to travel, citing an unconfirmed injury.
Bafana
coach Gordon Igesund said he was hugely disappointed by the behaviour of the
Belgium team and would report the matter to the authorities.
“I
am very disappointed by what has transpired and I have taken the matter up with
SAFA to handle, so it is out of my hands. They will take the matter further.
“For
now we need to follow the right channels and get to the bottom of this. I don’t
want this minor setback to affect our preparations against Nigeria but need to
add that I will not be replacing Anele as I believe I have enough players who
can take that role - the likes of Tshepo Gumede, Thabo Nthete and Thulani
Hlatshwayo. I think we have a very good squad in camp that can do the business
against Nigeria, we must just focus with the job at hand,” said Bafana Bafana
head coach Gordon Igesund.
Ngcongca
was expected to arrive in South Africa on Tuesday morning (13 August) along
with Belgium-based striker Tokelo Rantie, who has since joined the squad.
The
duo, together with England-based Dean Furman, was called up to play against
Nigeria and will return to their clubs soon after Wednesday’s game.
The
Super Eagles on the other hand, will also be without influential midfielder
John Obi Mikel who has been withdrawn from the squad due to a stomach bug.
