THULANI Serero has been released from the Bafana Bafana camp following the death of his father at the weekend.

Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane said the Ajax Amsterdam forward had been given time to be with his family, but is welcome to return to the national team if he is still up to it.

Bafana are in camp in Rustenburg to prepare for their 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Sunday and Botswana in Gaborone six days later.

Lehlohonolo Majoro, who was a stand-by replacement for Eleazar Rodgers, has been allowed to stay in camp for the Ethiopia, Botswana and Gabon matches.

Meanwhile, Mosimane says he has not closed the door on Moeneeb Josephs. Mosimane said there was still time for the Pirates goalkeeper to return to the team and that he admired the player's passion and wanted him back.

Josephs quit international football last week, days before the first Bafana 2014 World Cup qualifier on Sunday against Ethiopia. Mosimane said he has seen players retire from international football before, only to make a dramatic comeback.

The coach warned however that the team was not a "free for all" and there would be a time-line for any return. "He obviously cannot pitch the day before the game.

"We are not going to call a replacement for him."

Josephs said he was retiring for family reasons, despite Benni McCarthy claiming the goalkeeper was unhappy at being second choice in the Bafana team.

Mosimane, who had not yet been told officially of the retirement, dismissed the idea that the keeper had not been given much game time.

"In our last four matches, Moeneeb has played twice - against Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe - and did well."