AFCON Qualifiers

Baxter calls up Mkhize, Lorch

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Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter has called up Thamsanqa Mkhize and Thembinkosi Lorch to replace injured duo Thapelo Morena and Vincent Pule.

Baxter revealed on Monday that both Mamelodi Sundowns wing-back Morena and Orlando Pirates winger Pule needed to undergo scans to determine their fitness after they suffered injuries over the last week.

Morena suffered an injury in the warm-up before Sundowns faced Bidvest Wits in the Absa Premiership on Sunday and subsequently was removed from the start lineup, while Pirates star Pule did not feature for the Buccaneer’s in the 1-1 draw with AmaZulu on Saturday.

Baxter said on Monday that once they were armed with results of the scans they could make a decision on whether or not to add to the squad or call-up replacements.

Bafana then confirmed on Tuesday that the Briton had decided to call up Cape Town City skipper Mkhize to replace Morena, while winger Lorch will replace his Orlando Pirates teammate Pule in a like for like replacement.

Mkhize makes a return to the national side for the first time since the World Cup qualifiers against Senegal in November 2017 and will be hoping to add to his three international caps.

Meanwhile, Lorch will join up with the Bafana squad for only the second time after making his debut in the Four Nations tournament in Zambia in March.

Bafana are preparing to face Seychelles in back-to-back qualifiers with the first fixture taking place on Saturday at the FNB Stadium, kick off at 3pm, before they travel to Mahe Island for the reverse fixture on Tuesday.