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Robson Sharuko

Senior Sports Editor

SOUTH Africa’s international friendly against Uganda scheduled for this evening was last night thrown into doubt after the Covid-19 outbreak in the Bafana Bafana camp hit more members yesterday. 

The match was set to open a window of spying for Warriors coach Zdravko Logarusic, with Bafana Bafana set to be Zimbabwe’s first group opponents, in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. 

Loga told The Herald on Tuesday he was keeping a close eye on the Warriors’ group opponents in the World Cup qualifiers as they play their international friendlies during this FIFA window. 

However, the fate of this evening’s match in Johannesburg, which could have given Loga some insight into how the new coaching staff at Bafana Bafana intend to play their game, now hangs in the balance. 

Assistant coach, Janevski Cedomir, who has been leading the team, tested positive for Covid-19, after the latest rounds of tests, conducted by the Bafana Bafana medical team, on Tuesday. 

The Macedonian was hand-picked by new South African head coach, Hugo Broos of Belgium, to be his immediate assistant in a coaching set-up which also features Bafana Bafana legend, Helman “Midnight Express’’ Mkhalele. 

Ironically, Broos, who won the AFCON title with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Gabon four years ago, was also unavailable, for today’s game as he completes his vaccination programme at home in Belgium. 

With the guidelines clearly stating that anyone who would have come into contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19 has to isolate for at least 10 days, this could affect all the players, coaching and medical staff, who have been in camp.

Cedomir conducted training sessions in the company of Mkhalele on Monday and Tuesday. 

“As per Covid-19 requirements and protocol, the Bafana Bafana team conducted the second Covid-19 tests on Tuesday for the entire team ahead of the match against Uganda,” a SAFA statement read. 

“Unfortunately, assistant coach Janevski Cedomir tested positive while the rest of the team is negative. 

“As is the norm, all team members — players and support staff — are tested ahead of entering into camp and all results were negative. 

“However, during the second round of tests conducted on Tuesday, 8 June 2021, assistant coach Cedomir tested positive.” 

Reports from South Africa said six players had been ruled out of today’s scheduled match, due to the Covid-19 outbreak in the squad. 

Percy Tau, the team’s star player, and the SuperSport United duo of Teboho Mokoena and Sipho Mbule, were the first to be affected and had already been ruled out of the match. 

However, further reports claimed the Mamelodi Sundowns trio of Mosa Lebusa, Rivaldo Coetzee and Mothobi Mvala had also been ruled out. 

“We continue to check for clinical symptoms and encourage the staff to wear masks without failure, practice social distance and everyone is accommodated separately,” said Bafana Bafana team doctor, Tshepo Molobi. 

Ironically, Bafana Bafana were scheduled to take on the Warriors in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup group qualifiers, this week, before CAF were forced to push the matches to September, because of Covid-19 complications. 

On Tuesday night, Spain were forced to field their national Under-21 side for a friendly international against Lithuania, after captain Sergio Busquets tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday. 

Another player, Leeds defender Diego Llorente, also tested for Covid-19 and is now also self-isolating. 

The replacement youthful Spain side thrashed Lithuania 4-0 and 11 of their members have been drafted into the senior team’s bubble for consideration should more players test positive. 

Spain face Sweden, in their opening Euro 2020 match at the weekend. 

At least, for Loga, the Black Stars of Ghana played their friendly international against the Atlas Lions of Morocco, in Rabat, on Tuesday night. 

The Ghanaians lost the match 0-1, after a shocking blunder by their ’keeper, Razak Abalora. 

Leicester City defender, Daniel Amartey, was thrown into the starting XI by coach CK Akonnor, marking his return to the international fold after a two-year absence.

Captain Andre “Dede’’ Ayew started from the bench, with the Swansea City midfielder, who had a longer season, compared to his teammates, after his team featured in the play-offs for a place in the English Premiership, being introduced after the break. 

However, his brother Jordan, the Crystal Palace forward, was part of the starting XI but Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey, was excused from this match. 

“Ghana played one of their best games under coach Akonnor in this friendly, which serves as a preparatory game for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, in September,’’ the Ghanaian Football Association said. 

“The Black Stars will play another friendly against Ivory Coast at the Cape Coast Stadium on Saturday, June 12, 2021.’’

Partey will be considered for that match after he was excused, for the first game, against the Moroccans, after a meeting with the coach. 

“Thomas travelled to Cape Coast on Thursday to meet coach Charles Akonnor over some personal issues,’’ the GFA said. “After the meeting, which lasted for about an hour, the coach excused him from the trip to Morocco. 

“(He) asked him to report to camp for the second game against Ivory Coast. 

“As the first deputy captain of the Black Stars, Thomas later joined his colleagues in training to show solidarity and support before leaving for Accra. 

“The Arsenal midfielder will, therefore, team up with the rest of the squad on Thursday when the team returns from Morocco.”

There had been some suggestions Partey was axed from the Ghana squad. 

However, the GFA, and the player’s representatives, have dismissed that.