Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has been made to make a change to his 23-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Lesotho.
South Africa arrived in Polokwane on Monday ahead of the encounter at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium on Friday. Broos and his team arrived at the camp base at the Ranch outside Polokwane on Monday. They will fly by charter plane to Ivory Coast to face Benin on Tuesday, 25 March.
South Africa are in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers alongside Rwanda, Benin, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. They are currently second in the group after our matches, with two wins, one draw, and one loss.
They are tied on seven points with log-leaders Rwanda, but the East African country has a better goal difference than Bafana Bafana. Nine group winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Mexico and Canada in 2026.
WHO HAS BEEN REPLACED FROM THE BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD?
Broos has been forced to replace Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi. Maswanganyi has picked up an injury and missed his side’s 2-1 win against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership clash at FNB Stadium on Sunday.
Maswanganyi has been replaced by Polokwane City midfielder Rodney Maphangule. Maphangule has been one of the outstanding players for ‘Rise and Shine’ this season.
He was previously called into the preliminary squad by Broos but couldn’t make the final squad. Maphangule, who is the younger brother to former Orlando Pirates player, Meshack, has played 21 matches in all competitions this season.
HUGO BROOS EXPLAINS CHANGES IN HIS SQUAD AHEAD OF LESOTHO CLASH
Head coach Hugo Broos addressed the media in Polokwane on Monday and confirmed the changes. Meanwhile, Aubrey Modiba has not joined the team due to his partner giving birth. He is expected to join his teammates on Monday evening.
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