Guardian

AYANDA Patosi’s hopes of competing at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations have ended after he was forced to withdraw from the Bafana Bafana camp.

Patosi has been suffering from an ankle injury sustained in the 3-2 win for his Belgian side Lokeren against Kortrijk on December 21.

Scans showed the injury was not long-term and he joined up with the Bafana squad for their Johannesburg camp starting yesterday, but after just a few minutes of training today, started to feel discomfort.

The player has been released from camp and is expected to travel home to Cape Town this evening.

“It is such a pity that he will not be with us due to injury but he is a young man and should be fine. I would have loved to work with him but his injury prevented us from doing so. He is a player for the future, hopefully someday he will return to the national team fold,” national team coach Gordon Igesund said.

Patosi is expected to be out of action for three to four weeks.

“I am so disappointed that I will not be part of the AFCON 2013 tournament, I had such high hopes of playing for my country. But being called up for this training camp is in itself a great motivation and will make sure I work harder to return to the national team fold.

“I really enjoyed my time here, with a great bunch of talented players, unfortunately the injury cut short my stay. I am proud to have come this far and can only wish the boys all the best in the tournament,” said Patosi.

He becomes the third player to be withdrawn from the squad due to injury after striker Benni McCarthy and defender Eric Mathoho.

Meanwhile training got into top gear at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, with all the other players taking part, including Belgium-based Anele Ngcongca and Siyanda Xulu, who arrived on Thursday night.

Andile Jali, who also missed Thursday’s training session, managed to complete the grueling morning session on Friday without a problem.

The players gave their all in a rigorous and arduous training session in hot conditions under the watchful eye of head coach Gordon Igesund and his assistant Serame Letsoaka.

The mini training camp ends on Saturday with just one session in the morning, before Igesund announces the 23-man squad for the finals Sunday.