Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki says he felt bad for Keagan Dolly after he was forced off the field during their clash with Mali on Sunday.

The South African national team was crowned champions of the Nelson Mandela Challenge after beating Mali 2-1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

South Africa were hit with several injuries to key players prior to the game, including Lebo Mothiba, Percy Tau, Bongani Zungu, Thamsanqa Mkhize and Brandon Petersen.

However, Ntseki insists that Dolly has been struggling with injuries which has already kept him out of the Africa Cup of Nations competitions. He was also most recently taken off the field against Mali after picking up a knock.

‘It’s a very unfortunate situation, remember against Libya, Keagan Dolly got injured in our last training session before the game and he felt very bad he was actually crying and then we sent him back to his club and we had to prepare for the Afcon and he came in and asked to play in the Cosafa. Unfortunately, he couldn’t even make it because he got injured again,’ Ntseki said post-game.

‘So, it has been very difficult for Keagan Dolly as a player. He is a very strong man mentally and unfortunately today he started the game, buzzing, doing very well for the team and he got a knock and he had to be pulled out and I really felt bad for him.

‘The doctor has to assess him and give us a report – they will do a proper assessment.’