Ngcongca and Obi Mikel out of Bafana, Nigeria squads

Bafana Bafana and Nigeria have been rocked by withdrawals of key players ahead of their much-anticipated Nelson Mandela Challenge clash to be played at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Wednesday, 14 August 2013.

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The Super Eagles on the other hand, will also be without influential midfielder John Obi Mikel who has been withdrawn from the squad due to a stomach bug.

- SAFA