Bafana face squad dilemmas ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers

Bafana Bafana could remain on pole position to book their ticket to the 2026 Fifa World Cup if they beat Lesotho and Nigeria in the qualifiers, which will be held in Bloemfontein next month.

Bafana are currently top of Group C with 13 points — eight ahead of Rwanda and Benin — after six rounds of matches. If they secure all six points against Likuena and the Super Eagles, they will take a significant step closer to returning to the global showpiece for the first time since 2010.

However, that will be easier said than done. The team must also hope that FIFA does not dock them three points and goals. In their qualifier at home to Lesotho, they fielded the ineligible Teboho Mokoena, who had accumulated two yellow cards in the qualifiers against Benin and Zimbabwe.

Bafana’s uncertainty over their aspirations does not end there. Coach Hugo Broos faces a tough time naming his final squad for the two crucial qualifiers. Several regulars are either injured, out of form, or inactive due to contractual issues with their clubs.

Talisman Themba Zwane sustained an injury during Mamelodi Sundowns’ 1-1 MTN8 semi-final first-leg draw with Orlando Pirates a fortnight ago. Coach Miguel Cardoso revealed last week that the 35-year-old is expected to be sidelined for at least two months. Zwane’s guaranteed absence leaves a significant gap in Bafana’s attacking options, given his consistency and big-match temperament over the years.

Broos values Zwane’s prowess and personality so highly that he admits one of his biggest regrets early in his Bafana tenure was overlooking him. In Zwane’s absence, Broos has experimented with players such as Orlando Pirates talisman Patrick Maswanganyi.

However, Maswanganyi has been in and out of the team due to a dip in form this season and is still low on confidence after being substituted in the first half of the MTN8 semi-final second leg against Sundowns. Coach Abdeslam Ouaddou admitted the substitution was tactical, citing a poor performance, but he remains hopeful that ‘Tito’ will regain form — something that could be useful for Broos, particularly with AFCON fast approaching.

Broos also faces a difficult decision over whether to include Khuliso Mudau in his final squad, despite the player not having played competitive football this season. Mudau is reportedly pushing for a move away from Sundowns, which has led to him allegedly skipping training and matches. The right-back situation is critical, as Mudau is widely regarded as the best in the PSL.

In Broos’ preliminary squad, three other right-backs are under consideration: Sydney Mobbie, Thapelo Morena, and Deano Van Rooyen. Each presents challenges. Van Rooyen is currently injured and may not recover in time. Morena has fallen down the pecking order at Sundowns, with Zuko Mdunyelwa preferred by Cardoso. Mobbie, meanwhile, is not a universally trusted option, having struggled in Bafana colours during Broos’ early tenure.

Ultimately, the responsibility rests with Broos. He must demonstrate that he runs the show by naming a squad he believes can take Bafana Bafana one step closer to the promised land — the FIFA World Cup.

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