Bafana Bafana midfielder Hlompho Kekana has had to leave the national team camp here following news of a family tragedy that claimed the life of his mother-in-law, Safa spokesperson Dominic Chimhavi said on Tuesday morning.
The Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder received the heartbreaking information last night and had to immediately make his way to Hammanskraal, where the unfortunate car accident took place.
Kekana’s two-year-old child was also in the vehicle, but was unharmed according to preliminary medical reports, Chimhavi added.
BREAKING: Kekana has had to leave camp following news of a tragedy which claimed the life of his mother-in-law. Story on @IOLsport shortly.
— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) November 7, 2017
The player is part of Bafana’s 26-man squad to face Senegal in a World Cup qualifier on Friday, the first of two legs with the other match to follow four days later in Dakar.
“The coach will wait to hear from the player regarding his frame of mind before deciding whether to replace him or not. For now he has returned home to be with his family after the passing away of his mother-in-law,” said Chimhavi.
His potential unavailability means coach Stuart Baxter could be a little bit thin in midfield seeing that Andile Jali and Bongani Zungu will be suspended for the game on Friday, but available for the away leg.
Bafana have to win both games to qualify for the World Cup next year.
Bafana training session this morning. No sign of @IIKHUNE_32_16 yet. Official update later. All overseas based players have arrived. pic.twitter.com/QsYPWlIaDq
— Mazola J. Molefe (@superjourno) November 7, 2017
Meanwhile, there was still no sign of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune during the morning’s training session. The Chiefs captain suffered a facial injury playing for Amakhosi on Sunday and is to see a specialist to determine the extent of the injury by this afternoon.
@superjourno
IOL Sport