Mathoho rested for Under-23s Gabon clash in Olympic qualifiers
Mathoho rested for Gabon clash
Posted: 2011-11-29 18:18
After a tough opening fixture against Ivory Coast, Erick Mathoho will be rested for the Under-23's Olympic qualifier against Gabon tomorrow.
The medical team, doctor Desmond Lamula and physiotherapist Nhlanhla Maphanga, been working around the clock to assist players in the recovery process following a the opening Group B match on Sunday.
The South Africans played with 10 men for more than 30 minutes after midfielder Thami Sangweni was red-carded.
"Mathoho came into the camp with injury doubts, and we are happy that he played the full match on Sunday. We are treating him twice a day as a precaution, but will need to rest him for the Wednesday match," Lamula says.
The medical team has also attended to Sameehg Doutie, Gladwin Shitolo, Ace Bhengu, goalkeeper Brilliant Khuzwayo and Sibusiso Mxoyana.
"These players sustained minor knocks in our opening match on Sunday, we are currently treating them because we don't want to take anything for granted," Lamula adds.
Shakes Mashaba, meanwhile, says the team has prepared well for the crucial Gabon clash.
"We have just finished our last training session before the encounter with Gabon, everything has gone well except for this unfortunate situation with Mathoho.
"The doctors are working on him and we hope he will recover on time for our final group stages match against Egypt.
"We have reshuffled the team at the back and prepared them well to keep a solid defence."
The match between South Africa and Gabon will kick off at 7pm South African time.
: 2011-11-30 13:22
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