Hugo Broos faces fitness concerns for Bafana’s key player

Bafana Bafana . Picture courtesy of Zamani Makautsi/Zakes Photography

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is sweating over the fitness of a key player ahead of Tuesday’s crucial clash against Rwanda. South Africa will host Amavubi Stars at Mbombela Stadium in the final round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Kick off is 18h00.

This match is crucial for Bafana Bafana, especially after they were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, during their March encounter with Lesotho.

Following Friday’s draw with Zimbabwe and Benin’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda, South Africa now needs an outright win and is hoping Nigeria can either win or draw against The Squirrels. A victory for the Benin team coached by Gernot Rohr would certainly extinguish South Africa’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup finals for the first time in over two decades.

At Monday’s training session, Burnley FC striker Lyle Foster was not part of the main team preparing for the match. The Burnley forward walked with a limp on the sidelines and had his knee strapped.

HUGO BROOS ON SELECTION HEADACHE

Lyle Foster. Picture courtesy of Bafana Bafana/X

Broos faced an early setback ahead of the Zimbabwe clash when Iqraam Rayners was withdrawn from the camp due to a medical issue. In his place, the veteran coach called up Evidence Makgopa. If Foster is not ready to start the game, Broos is expected to turn to the Orlando Pirates forward.

Meanwhile, the Belgian conceded that he faces a selection headache, particularly in defence, due to Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s suspension. The Bucs defender was sent off after he accumulated two yellow cards in the match against The Warriors, resulting in a red card.

“And Mbokazi has also become a very important player,” said Broos. “But he will not be there tomorrow. We have to be confident and believe in the players who are there and give them my confidence and my trust, and then see what happens tomorrow.”

He added that Foster had become “a very important player” but was a “little bit unlucky” in the last game. “Friday also, when you see the previous games, nearly every time scored a goal. He had a very big chance on the line, and they saved it. But he’s a very important player.”