According to a Safa press release, Mahlangu will play no part in this month's final Afcon qualifiers against Sudan and Nigeria after writing to Mashaba complaining of tiredness “after playing too many matches” - much to the Bafana mentor's annoyance.
Mashaba said: “This is not acceptable for a player to talk about fatigue when they have to represent their national team. It’s just that I no longer get angry these days, because I think I must also afford myself a smile. We will just follow this matter up and get to the bottom of it, I can only hope people will understand when these players are not called again in the national team.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“When I took up this position, I spoke a lot about patriotism which for me is paramount. If tomorrow the player is not considered and the media asks why, here is the reason.
“One will ask, what about the players who have been sacrificing their time to be in the team? But then again the country has a lot of talent to get disappointed about one player. The only thing I want to see is when a player comes out clear and says I am not available, and we know what we have to do.”
In other team news, Bidvest Wits captain Sibusiso Vilakazi has been ruled out of contention with a toe injury, while Ajax Amsterdam star Thulani Serero has a muscle strain, although he managed to finish a full training session this morning at People’s Park.
Bafana will host the Sudanese at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday before ending their Group A campaign against the Super Eagles in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on November 19.