Mamelodi Sundowns forward Phakamani Mahlambi has been booted off Bafana Bafana’s Cosafa Cup preparation camp with reports suggesting the player arrived for camp in ’poor condition’.

Mahlambi was selected in the coach David Notoane’s Cosafa Cup squad with Stuart Baxter said to be keeping an eye on the forward for a potential spot in Bafana’s Afcon squad.

It though was revealed on Wednesday that Cape Town City’s Gift Links has replaced the Downs forward in the squad as South Africa prepare to open their tournament with a quarterfinal against Botswana on Sunday.

Although multiple reports suggest that Mahalmbi had arrived at the camp under the influence of alcohol, Notane looked to stay clear of these reports and suggested it was for other reasons.

‘It’s not the case,’ Notoane said.

‘To my knowledge that is not the reason. Yes he is out, but it’s for other reasons.’

The South African coach, however, had hinted earlier in the week that some of the players were struggling with their discipline.

‘Discipline is very important‚ it is the first foundation of success. Mentality comes in‚ but discipline and mentality cannot be separated‚’ he said.

‘We don’t have control of that‚ you bring a player into a professional set-up‚ you believe you can develop their talent and shape their talent.’

More is likely to come out of this story with Safa looking to keep things quite while they focus on a big month for the country’s national teams.