Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has confirmed a significant blow to his squad, with trusted right-back Nyiko Mobbie ruled out of the much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.
South Africa secured an important 3-0 win against neighbours, Lesotho, at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday evening in their Group C tie.
But within five minutes of kickoff, Broos and his side were dealt a huge blow. This is after Siwelele FC star Mobbie was forced out of the match due to an injury.
He was replaced by Mamelodi Sundowns defender Zuko Mdunyelwa, who was playing his first match for the national team.
NYIKO MOBBIE RULED OUT OF THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIER AGAINST NIGERIA
Although Thabo Moloisane was also taken off in the Lesotho game due to a head injury, Broos has confirmed that only Mobbie is ruled out of Tuesday’s game against Nigeria in Bloemfontein.
“It’s a pity that we have those injuries. Moloisane is not so bad, but Mobbie is out,” Broos told Journalists.
“So we’ll have to call someone else, and we will decide in the next hour who that will be. That’s the only negative point of this game. But again, that can happen in any game. But I saw a very motivated and aggressive team from Lesotho.
“That’s also why we have those injuries. However, our CEO [Lydia Monyepao] will make a call for the game on Tuesday. You know that we have a list of players, and the one who will come on Monday will come tomorrow [Saturday] will be someone whom we have confidence in,” added Broos.
“So what happened has happened. But that doesn’t mean we are panicking. We are in a very good situation, and we have to keep that.”
Meanwhile, Broos also stated that he never doubted the ability of Zuko Mdunyelwa or other new faces, such as Sipho Mbule and Kamogelo Sebelebele, citing their strong performances in training.
“What I saw at training gives me confidence, also from the new boys. When you have to come in like Zuko after 15 minutes or something, it is not easy, certainly not for your first game. But he did it very well. I was confident the moment he had to come in because what I saw at training gave me confidence.
Bafana will take on Nigeria
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