Cape Town City left back Terrence Masego will not be travelling with Bafana Bafana for their opening 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Morocco on Thursday evening.

The South African national team is scheduled to face Morocco in their Afcon Group K opener at Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium in Rabat.

The 23-year-old was forced to withdraw after he picked up a knee injury during a training session in the Bafana camp.

However, Mashego has faith that the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns’ Lyle Lakay and Innocent Maela of Orlando Pirates can get the job done in his absence.

“Terrence Mashego has been released from camp and will not be travelling to Morocco with the team. He has sustained a knee injury,” Bafana announced on their official Twitter page.

Terrence Mashego has been released from camp and will not be traveling to Morocco with the team. He has sustained a knee injury. Speedy recovery Terrence! We will miss you! #BafanaPride #AFCON2023Q #AFCONQualifiers

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) June 4, 2022

“It’s a very bad situation, but I think it’s not very bad injury because the doctor said it’s just a tear on the meniscus – so I believe I will heal fast,” Mashego told Safa.

“I was looking forward to this game but I believe we still have Lyle Lakay and Maela, who I believe will do the job. I just have to focus on my injury right now and make sure I come back.”