Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso - Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba has confirmed that striker Tokelo Rantie has been withdrawn from the squad after failing to report for camp on Sunday as expected and to travel with the team to their opening 2018 World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso here in two days’ time (8pm SA time).
It is believed, though, that Rantie had already made his way to South Africa from Turkey, where he now plays for Genclerbirligi following a move from English Premier League club Bournemouth in August.
"We thought in the spirit of encouraging team spirit and discipline, we must release Rantie from camp," explained Mashaba. The matter will now be handled by the SA Football Association, who are likely to throw the rule book at Rantie for what is now a disciplinary issue.
The player is not a first time offender, having missed last year’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Gambia in Durban because he was getting married. He had not informed Safa of his wedding engagement and missed that crucial match, with Bafana playing to a goalless draw.
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