Mokoena omission hints at Bafana goodbye
Reuters - Tuesday 15 March 2011, 13:16
JOHANNESBURG - South Africa have dropped
captain Aaron Mokoena for next week's African Nations Cup
qualifier against holders Egypt, signalling the potential end of
his long international career.
The centre back, who won the first of his 107 caps 12 years
ago, was omitted on Tuesday when coach Pitso Mosimane named his
squad for the match in Johannesburg on March 26.
Mosimane refused to discuss Mokoena's omission at a news
conference, telling reporters only "it is time to move forward".
Mokoena had been called up last month for a friendly win
over Kenya but was left on the bench for the match.
At the time, Mosimane said he wanted to use the game to try
out a new defensive combination and accused reporters of making
too much out of Mokoena being left among the unused substitutes.
The 30-year-old missed a November friendly against the
United States when Mosimane said he was giving Mokoena a break.
Steven Pienaar has been named as captain in Mokoena's place
for the key qualifier where South Africa are seeking to extend
their lead over Egypt at the head of the group.