Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos was forced to replace several players within the squad due to injuries ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.

The South African senior national team will play Benin at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on November 18, 2023.

On November 21, 2023, they will travel to East-Central Africa to play Rwanda in the second FIFA World Cup qualifier.

Hugo Broos had Lyle Foster, Njabulo Blom, Grant Kekana, and Thapelo Maseko in mind for these important games at first, but things didn’t go as planned, so changes had to be made.

“Lebo Mothiba’s team sent through a medical report and we had to call in reinforcement on Sunday night. We could not risk Lebo, and Evidence Makgopa was called up as his replacement that same night,” said Team Doctor Tshepo Molobi.

On Monday, Grant Kekana and Thapelo Maseko joined the Bafana Bafana camp in Pretoria. However, they had to go through medical tests first.

“Grant had a scan on Monday when he arrived at camp and we could not risk it. We had to let him recoup as there was no guarantee that the medical team could have him ready by Saturday in Durban or Tuesday in Rwanda next week.

“So it was best that we let him continue with treatment and allowed him the time he needed to fully recover. Thapelo Maseko’s scans also revealed that it was best to release him and let him rest as well. They have also had a lot of games and needed the time to bounce back to full health, and that is why they are not in camp.”

Elias Mokwana and Thapelo Xoki have joined the team to take their place.

Dr. Molobi said that his medical room is still busy, even though most of the more serious injuries have been taken care of.

“We can never, ever as a national team have full fitness with no concerns. We have niggles that we are treating, but nothing serious at the moment and we hope that it stays this way.”

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