Mkhalele slams Fifa over AFCON player release rule

BAFANA Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has urged Fifa to conduct serious introspection as the national team prepares for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) without several of their Europe-based players.

- OBAKENG MELETSE

South Africa will open their campaign against Angola on December 22 as they aim to improve on their third-place finish from the previous edition, where they were eliminated by Nigeria on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the semifinals.

The national team has now fully shifted their focus to AFCON after learning their World Cup group on Friday. Bafana were drawn in Group A alongside tournament hosts Mexico, South Korea, and one of Denmark, Republic of Ireland, North Macedonia or the Czech Republic, who will compete in the Uefa playoffs in March.

Reacting to the draw, Mkhalele said he was relieved that they can now direct full attention to AFCON preparations while also starting to consider what will be required for the World Cup, especially as it will be staged across three different countries.