Bata (Equatorial Guinea), Jan 22 (IANS): South Africa head coach Shakes Mashaba has confirmed that defender Rivaldo Coetzee will miss the remainder of the ongoing 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Mashaba revealed Wednesday night that the defender sustained an injury to his knee during their 1-3 loss to Algeria in a Group C match played at the Ebebiyin Stadium, reports Xinhua.

"The young man is in big pain and the medical team are handling it. I have ruled the young man out unless a miracle happens," said the veteran coach.

Mashaba said in the absence of the 18-year-old, who is making a debut in an Afcon competition, Erick Mathoho will be the replacement.

Bafana Bafana, who won the Afcon title in 1996 when they hosted the tournament, need to recover and beat Senegal Friday if they hope to improve their chances of qualification for the knock-out stage.

Senegal are second in the Group C after edging Ghana 2-1 in their opening match.