Who's back in mix?

13 December 2012 - 02:09 By NICK SAID
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Ajax Amsterdam player Thulani Serero is back in full training, meaning that there could be a place for him in Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund's squad for the Nations Cup
Ajax Amsterdam player Thulani Serero is back in full training, meaning that there could be a place for him in Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund's squad for the Nations Cup
Image: LEFTY SHIVAMBU

BAFANA Bafana coach Gordon Igesund has been boosted by the return to fitness of a number of his potential stars ahead of next year's Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Kermit Erasmus, Andile Jali, Benni McCarthy and Katlego Mphela have all been in action for their clubs and have two league games left to prove their fitness for the continental showpiece.

Here is a look at the other players in Igesund's plans who are out or still fighting injury battles.

Daylon Claasen (Lierse, Belgium): His chances of making the tournament are virtually nil as his recovery from a knee injury is taking longer than expected.

Morgan Gould (Kaizer Chiefs): He has been ruled out of the tournament with an Achilles injury. He is not expected to return to action for Chiefs until February.

Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates): Josephs is ready to return to training this week but is no longer the No1 at Pirates after coach Roger de Sa confirmed Senzo Meyiwa would keep the gloves. Igesund has good options in the goalkeeping department, with Itumeleng Khune and Wayne Sandilands the confirmed "one and two".

Punch Masenamela (Mamelodi Sundowns): Masenamela is out of the Afconafter knee surgery last week. He will be on the sidelines for six weeks.

Teko Modise (Mamelodi Sundowns): Strained his hamstring against Black Leopards on Sunday. No date has been given for his return but he hasn't been selected for the friendly match against Malawi on December 22.

Lebohang Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns): Mokoena is out of the Afcon as he too spends six weeks on the sidelines after surgery.

Dino Ndlovu (Maccabi Haifa, Israel): Ndlovu is recovering from a fracture in his foot.

Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows): Swallows have confirmed that Nomvethe will return to full training after toe surgery only in January, probably ruling him out of the Nations Cup.

Tokelo Rantie (Malmo, Sweden): He is fit again after the knee injury that forced him off in the friendly loss to Zambia last month. But the problem is reccurring and he will be closely monitored.

Thulani Serero (Ajax Amsterdam): He played 45 minutes of a reserve team fixture for Ajax Amsterdam on Monday, his first step back from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since September.

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