Bafana Bafana have received a huge boost ahead of their clash against Mali with the news that star man Percy Tau is set to feature.
The Clube Brugge forward joined up with the Bafana camp on Tuesday but was carrying a little injury following his club sides final game before the international break.
Tau was forced off if his team’s 4-0 thrashing of Gent in the Belgium top flight but still made his way back to South Africa as the squad prepare to take on Mali in the Nelson Mandela Challenge in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
Tau though did not train at the start of the camp and sat out a warm-up match against Chippa United‚ which ended in a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
However, South Africa team doctor Dr Thulani Ngwenya revealed that the decision to rest Tau for that game was just precautionary.
‘We have rested Percy Tau today‚’ Ngwenya said after the friendly.
‘He is not injured he is recovering from an injury‚ so it was just a precautionary rest. Medically‚ I have cleared him for selection‚ so it will be up to the coach if he plays on Sunday or not.’
‘Otherwise‚ Dean Furman and Lebo Mothiba were also rested [before Wednesday] but Dean played today. So‚ we are free from injuries at the moment,’ he added.
Tau has also declared himself fit for the game saying that why he is in camp, to play.
‘It was just a call from the doctor to not play in today’s friendly but I think I will be training with the team tomorrow‚’ Tau said.
‘I will be fit for Sunday’s game against Mali. I want to play that is why I am here,’ the former Sundowns man concluded.