Coach Javier Aguirre said several months ago that he would not take injured players to the tournament, but such has been the extent of Mexico’s fitness concerns that he has been forced to reconsider that stance.
According to local reports, defender César Montes, midfielders Edson Álvarez and Luis Chávez, and forward Alexis Vega are all in a race against time to be fit and are carrying a variety of injury concerns.
Montes, who plays for Lokomotiv Moscow, featured off the bench in Mexico’s previous friendly against Australia on May 31, but is still suffering from muscle discomfort.
Fenerbahçe star Álvarez has an ankle problem, while Dinamo Moscow midfielder Chávez is dealing with a ligament issue.
Toluca forward Vega is managing a knee complaint that has not sidelined him but requires careful monitoring.
Bafana Bafana’s only injury concern at this stage is left-back Aubrey Modiba, who missed the second leg of Mamelodi Sundowns’ CAF Champions League final against AS FAR with a hamstring problem.
Coach Hugo Broos is hopeful that Modiba will be fit in time for the clash against Mexico.