It's straight back into club action for Bafana players

Nick Said

THE Bafana Bafana stars who completed their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a quarterfinal loss to Mali have headed back to their respective soccer clubs.

Although some have been given time off, others may be thrust straight back into action this weekend with their teams in desperate need of reinforcements.

While PSL coaches fret over the workload of their players, most European clubs are used to playing two games a week and may feel their Bafana stars have actually had a lighter programme than if they had stayed at their clubs.

Dean Furman arrived back in England on Monday and was included in his English League One side Oldham Athletic's squad for the clash with Yeovil the following day! The match was postponed due to bad weather, but it shows how much they value their skipper's abilities.

Furman has arrived back to a change of manager after Paul Dickov resigned last weekend following a fourth straight league loss. He should play tomorrow at home to Milton Keynes Dons.

Kagisho Dikgacoi had a poor Nations Cup and so should be fairly fresh as Crystal Palace take on Watford tonight in the Championship.

Bafana skipper Bongani Khumalo heads back to his Greek side PAOK who have had a dip in form during his absence.

The side were riding high in second place when he left, but have won none of their four matches in his absence and have slipped down a place.

Anele Ngcongca will almost certainly be involved for Genk in one position or another when they take on Germinal Beerschot in the Belgian league. He has featured at right-back, centre-back and defensive midfield this season.

Thulani Serero has gone straight back to Amsterdam, where he is being assessed by Ajax medical staff to see how his recovery from a groin injury is going.

Bafana coach Gordon Igesund admitted that Serero was only "60% to 70% fit" at the Nations Cup, and used him sparingly.

It is highly unlikely that he will face Roda JC on Sunday and is likely to be eased back into action over the coming weeks.

Tokelo Rantie has been given the week off to recuperate and is still in South Africa while his Swedish side Malmo go through their pre-season training in the US. He will fly directly to Sweden to meet the team there next week.

May Mahlangu has also been given this week off, but will fly to Portugal to link up with his Swedish side Helsingborg. They will be having a 10-day camp in the country as part of their preparation for the new campaign.