Bafana Bafana have suffered a setback; Orlando Pirates’ Patrick Maswanganyi is ruled out through injury ahead of their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria.
Broos’ men continue their Group C campaign against Lesotho on Friday, September 5, before a massive clash against Nigeria on Tuesday, September 9. Both games will be played at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
The Belgian coach has lifted the lid on why Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Mbule was his go-to pick to replace Maswanganyi.
SIPHO MBULE IN FOR ORLANDO PIRATES TEAMMATE PATRICK MASWANGANYI
Maswanganyi, who scored in the Buccaneers’ 3-0 win over Chippa United last weekend, failed a late fitness test and was sent home by Broos.
The good news for South Africa is that Maswanganyi’s teammate, Sipho Mbule, has stepped up to replace him.
“We had to tell Maswanganyi to go home,” Bafana’s coach Broos told the media. “The reason we took that decision is that we are not sure if he will be ready for the game on Friday [against Lesotho].
“It’s very difficult when you are working in the national team, where you have only three or four days to prepare for the game. It’s easier when you are in a club because you have five weeks of pre-season.
“When you have a player who is not ready in three days, we have to make the decision, that’s why we said Tito must go home. His replacement is Sipho Mbule. Why Sipho Mbule? I think everybody agrees that he’s a player with many qualities.
“I have to agree also that in the past years, we didn’t really see what is expected from a player like that, but he’s an experienced player and one of those who can play in Tito’s position.
“You know already that for more than a year we have been looking for a replacement for Themba Zwane. We had Tito, but now he’s injured.
“So it’s very difficult to find someone with those qualities, and I think with Mbule, we have the right player in the right position. I will have a little chat with him at training and tell him what we expect from him,” Broos concluded.
Friday’s game against Lesotho kicks off at 18:00, while next Tuesday’s clash against Nigeria will also kick off at the same hour. Both games will be played at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION PATH
Currently at the summit of Group C with 13 points, Bafana Bafana need a victory over Lesotho and a draw against Nigeria to secure their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with two qualification matches to spare. Only the group winner qualifies for the 2026 World Cup.
Alternatively, the four best-ranked group runners-up will compete in a play-off to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
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