Choupo-Moting in fitness race for SA clash

Schalke forward Eric Choupo-Moting is facing a fitness race for Cameroon’s double header with South Africa in Group M of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The 26-year-old is still battling to fully recover from a pelvic injury sustained in his side’s 1-1 draw with Stuttgart on 21 February.

However, he has resumed training on Monday, and could be included in the squad for Friday’s game against Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga.

Choupo-Moting’s absence would be a major blow to Cameroon head coach Hugo Broos, who is also sweating over the fitness of FC Lorient striker Benjamin Moukandjo (calf injury) and has to cope in the absence of suspended Vincent Aboubakar in their first encounter.

Lying top of Group M on maximum points after recording successive victories over Mauritania and Gambia, the Indomitable Lions will host Bafana Bafana in Limbé on 26 March before battling their opponents in Durban three days later.