Head coach Raymond Mdaka has responded to Orlando Pirates' decision to withdraw one of their key players from the Amajita squad that is set to take part in the 2025 U20 AFCON.
The U20 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway on Sunday, with South Africa set to open their campaign on the same day against hosts Egypt (20:00 SA time).
Ahead of the tournament, the squad has suffered some setbacks with the unavailability of several key players.
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Shandre Campbell was ruled out by Belgian side Club Brugge, where he plays for the side's reserve team, while Siyabonga Mabena of Mamelodi Sundowns missed out due to undergoing recovery from an injury suffered last year.
The latest setback relates to key defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who has been withdrawn from the squad by his club, Pirates. The clu has several crucial matches ahead and have been rocked by absences in the heart of defence, with both Olisa Ndah and Thabiso Sesane still out of action.
"From the group that we started with, we don't have Shandre," Mdaka told journalists at Amajita's training base on Tuesday.
"The issue of Shandre was said some three weeks back, to say the team is discussing with the manager to say he is in the first team, so it is difficult for them to release the boy.
"Mabena is injured, and he was one of the key players. Mbokazi is also one of the key players, he is one of the players who started everything. We thought we would have him, but unfortunately, we do not have him," bemoaned the head coach.
On a positive note, the side will have captain Asekho Tiwani, who has been granted permission by Sundowns, as well as Kaizer Chiefs star Mfundo Vilakazi. SuperSport United's Neo Rapoo will also join the camp later.
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"There is Tiwani, the captain. We spoke with Sundowns, we made arrangements. Tiwani will be left in Egypt (after Sundowns' CAF Champions League clash against Al Ahly). We have Tiwani.
"We have Neo Rapoo because we have requested him, we are in constant discussion with his team, just to see how we can help each other. So, they are playing a critical match, so we allowed him to play, and he will join us in Egypt.
"So, all in all, we might be missing Shandre and Campbell and Ofentse (Kgosana), in terms of key players that we had in all our [previous] camps," revealed Mdaka.
The tournament will run until 18 May, and will see 13 nations battle it out not only for continental glory but for four qualification spots for the FIFA U20 World Cup to be played in Chile later this year.
