The Brave Warriors’ plans for their first AFCON qualifier against Gambia suffered a major blow after attacking midfielder, Rudolf Bester, got a hamstring injury during his clubs 3-2 loss to Amazulu on Sunday.
Bester was substituted in the 66th minute after scoring the first goal for his team, Maritzburg United.
Tom Saintfiet, the coach of the Brave Warriors, was very disappointed with the news.
“It is very bad news for the team. He has been a very important goal scorer for the team over the past two years,” Saintfiet said.
“Bester has scored against South Africa, DRC, Zimbabwe and Lebanon.”
“It will make us weaker, especially after Razundara pulled out of the Gambia match. He is very influential in the midfield,” Saintfiet continued.
Experienced midfielder Razundara Tjikuzu, who recently signed for Turkish club Kasimpasa Spor Kulubu, requested to be omitted from the squad for the Gambia match because he was not fit.
“Two of the four front guys are missing. This will have a negative impact on the team,” Saintfiet said.
Saintfiet will instead use Heini Isaacks in Bester’s place. Alfred Ndyenge and Tangeni Shipahu will come in the place of Tjikuzu.
“I hope that the alternatives can prove that they deserve to be in those positions.”
George Hummel and Paulus Shipanga are the other players who will not be making the trip to Gambia after they both announced their retirement from international football.
The players that will travel to Gambia are as follows:
Goalkeepers: Virgil Vries and Athiel Mbaha.
Defenders: Hartman Toromba, Richard Gariseb, Steven Goagab, Oliver Risser, Jamunuvandu Ngatjizeko and Gottlieb Nakuta.
Midfielders: Ninja Karongee, Collin Benjamin, Quinton Jacobs, Tangeni Shipahu, Sydney Plaatjies, Edward Asino and Alfred Ndyenge.
Strikers: Henrico Botes, Wilko Risser and Heini Isaacks.