Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has reportedly asked Bafana Bafana if he can play with a mask against Senegal in the wake of his fractured bone in the face.

South Africa play hosts to the Teranga Lions on Friday night at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, but their preparations have been marred by an injury to their first-choice goalkeeper.

Khune picked up an injury when he collided with Kurt Lentjies in a Telkom Knockout quarter-final clash over the weekend. The goalkeeper has been seeing specialists since the incident occurred, and Baxter revealed that Khune has asked if he could play with a mask.

‘Itu has seen a specialist. He is seeing one more,’ he told reporters.

‘Khune has asked us to prepare a mask, which means he is hopeful. That could be enthusiasm and ambition, but the final decision will rest with the medical team.

‘We are more hopeful than we were yesterday, but we will wait on the medical people,’ he concluded.

With Khune set for various assessments prior to Friday’s encounter, Baxter revealed that he has faith in the ability of back-up keepers Wayne Sandilands and Ronwen Williams.

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