 Charlton's Mark Fish has pulled out of South Africa's Nations Cup squad |
South Africa have been dealt another blow ahead of January's Nation s Cup, after the withdrawal of Mark Fish from their squad. Fish asked to join the squad on 17 January, a week before the tournament gets underway, but South African coach Ephraim 'Shakes' Mashaba is insisting that players are available from 10 January.
The Bafana Bafana coach is insisting on calling up all his players the full two weeks ahead of the tournament, as is permitted by Fifa.
According to South African officials Mashaba has turned down Fish's request, prompting the defender's withdrawal from the squad.
Fish's call up to the squad two weeks ago came after a three year absence from the international scene.
Fish's decision means that Bafana Bafana will be without four big names in Tunisia, after the earlier withdrawals of Shaun Bartlett, Quinton Fortune and Benni McCarthy.
Fish's Charlton team mate Shaun Bartlett retired from international football so that he can concentrate on club football, as he tries to secure a new contract.
Manchester United midfielder Fortune has snubbed all contact with the South African Football Association since a fall-out with Mashaba in April.
Striker McCarthy turned down the chance to play in the Nations Cup after he was also refused permission to join up late, in order to play for his club Porto.
The Panathinaikos defender Nasief Morris, who played in this season's European Champions League, is expected to be named as replacement for Fish.
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