CAPE TOWN – Stuart Baxter received the first big blow of his second tenure as the Bafana Bafana coach on Friday when classy Dutch-based midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo was ruled out of the upcoming clash against Nigeria.
The 26-year-old Mokotjo has been battling with a knee problem for a number of months, and the South African Football Association said that he now requires an operation after they received a “full medical report” from his club FC Twente.
Midfielder Mokotjo could’ve been a key figure in the Baxter set-up for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo on June 10 after being named in the Dutch Eredivisie’s Team of the Year following a top season with FC Twente.
He will also have a procedure done on his wrist, having undergone an operation on his thumb recently as well.
Mokotjo has been replaced by 22-year-old Lebogang Phiri, who plays for Brondby in Denmark.
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