Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Darren Keet and defender Thapelo Morena have been withdrawn from the squad to face Zambia in an international friendly on Saturday.

Morena is currently mending his way back from a groin injury while Keet is finalising his work permit in Belgium, which requires the former Bidvest Wits goalkeeper to remain in the country until this is resolved.

Sundowns shotstopper Riyaad Pieterse has since been called up to replace Keet, while Morena was replaced by Highlands Park right back Luckyboy Mokoena, who has earned his first call-up to the national team.

The South African Football Association (Safa) released the following statement on the withdrawal of Keet and Morena:

‘Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Darren Keet, as well as defender Thapelo Morena, have been withdrawn from the squad to face Zambia in an international friendly clash on Saturday, 7 September 2019.

‘Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns] is nursing an injury while Keet is finalising his work permit in Belgium, which requires him to stay in that country until all the paperwork is done.

‘Riyaad Pieterse of Mamelodi Sundowns has been called up to replace Keet, with Luckyboy Mokoena of Highlands Park getting his first call-up to take the place of Morena.

‘The squad assembles tonight [Sunday, 1 September] in Johannesburg, and departs for Zambia on Thursday, 5 September.

‘This will be Ntseki’s first match in charge following the resignation of head coach Stuart Baxter after the Afcon tournament.

‘South Africa is using this match to prepare for the upcoming back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Ghana and Sudan to be played in November.

‘Bafana Bafana return to South Africa the day after the match [Sunday, 8 September].’