Bafana Bafana duo test positive for Covid-19

Eddie Chikamhi Senior Sports Reporter
TWO South Africa players were dropped at the eleventh hour after testing positive for Covid-19 shortly before the team’s departure for the World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe.

South Africa football association confirmed that Thibang Phete and Thabiso Kutumela returned positive tests ahead of the trip this afternoon.

Phete, who turns out for Portuguese side Os Belenenses was one of the five foreign-based players in the squad.

“Coach Hugo Broos will be without Thibang Phete and Thabiso Kutumela for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Zimbabwe. Both players have been isolated after testing positive for covid-19,” said SAFA in a statement.

The setback comes after Zimbabwe had also dropped two players who tested positive for Covid-19. The South Africa-based Warriors duo of Knox Mutizwa and midfielder Butholezwe Ncube tested positive before departure.

The Warriors are set to host South Africa at the National Sports Stadium on Friday. They will then fly out of the country to face Ethiopia in their second Group G match in Bahir Dar, a city that is approximately 500km away from the capital, Addis Ababa.

South Africa will host Ghana in their second Group G match at FNB stadium.