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NOT AT FULL STRENGTH: Bafana Bafana players during the South Africa team training at Soccer City on Tuesday in Soweto. PHOTO: GALLO IMAGES

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Igesund has been robbed of no fewer than 10 players who have either been regular Bafana squad members over the past 12 months, or players who he is keen to take a look at for the Nations Cup.

But there has been some positive news coming through this week that could see some of these star names return to fitness just in time for the tournament. There is, of course, a big difference between being physically fit and match fit, or even in form for that matter, but Igesund will be boosted by the news nonetheless.

Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Thulani Serero says he expects to step up his recovery this month and could be back in full training by the beginning of next month. That would give him just a few matches to find some form before the Dutch League adjourns for their winter break.

Striker Davide Somma is also back in training after almost 18 months on the sidelines, and is targeting a return to action early next month.

"He's doing some training and he's not had any reaction and he's started doing different things other than straightforward running. He's going to join in with the football side of things as from next week as well," his coach at Leeds United, Neil Warnock, said.

Katlego Mphela is set to return to proper training in the middle of next month, which will leave next to no game time to find some form. It will then be a question for the coach of whether he wants to take a risk on Bafana's leading marksman of the moment.

It will be a similar scenario for Lierse midfielder Daylon Claasen.

Kaizer Chiefs left-back Tsepo Masilela is working his way back to match fitness and should be ready in time for the tournament, but veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe is touch-and-go as he recovers from a toe injury.

Benni McCarthy's planned comeback last week has been postponed, but he is perhaps just a few weeks away from full fitness.

Chiefs defender Morgan Gould is reportedly ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from an Achilles problem, but he is still almost certain to miss the Nations Cup. Russia-based Siyanda Xulu has now fully recovered from a thigh injury, but Feyenoord utility player Kamohelo Mokotjo remains sidelined with an ankle problem.

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Sat May 18 16:00:40 SAST 2013 ::

Nov 15, 2012

TrippleXXX

GI, You needed Shaba and Sangweni in your starting eleven....
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Nov 15, 2012

RVP

That's what you get for not playing Shabba and Majoro !!!! mxm
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Nov 15, 2012

guiliano

Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Thulani Serero says he expects to step up his recovery this month
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How do you step up your recovery? uyafosta.
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Nov 15, 2012

T'dpole

He is not even a national team material nogal, just like Erasmus, Myeni, Phala, Mashego, he should not play for Bafana
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Nov 15, 2012

Capegal

Mphela must come back
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Nov 15, 2012

Capegal

TrippleXXX
GI, You needed Shaba and Sangweni in your starting eleven
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i did not like his starting eleven at all -sh!t happened last night
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Nov 15, 2012

NICEBOOBS

We need Gould bcos our defence is so weak
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Nov 15, 2012

NICEBOOBS

Not forgetting Masilela
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Nov 15, 2012

Msydodo

He not Shaba, Parker, Majoro and Letsolenyane same time, these guys are on form
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Nov 15, 2012

CharlesTaylor

Igesund, you disappointed me yesterday. If, for a moment you think you will play Afcon, against Ghana, Nigeria Ivory Coast with players like Mashego, Phala, Erasmus, Khumalo, Ntethe, Chabangu, then you are in for a very big disappointment, worse than Santana and Pitso combined.

This must not be a mickey mouse team GI. There is no time to test players who are 1 game wonders. Zambia has been together for 6 years, our team can't be together for 2 months. Each and every game we have a new team and we think we can win anything.

If I were you I would go for tried and tested, only change the style of play and maybe some moral boost for players.

Khune, (in Sangweni and Gould absence) Matoho and Fransman, Ngcongca and Masenamela, Furman and Letsolonyane, Shabba and Teko, Parker and Rantie/Majoro. This is the team you should have started with yesterday, then later you can test all these new players. WE ARE TIRED OF LOSSING.
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