Double blow for Bafana Bafana as German Bundesliga 2 star and Orlando Pirates playmaker withdraw from squad! In-form Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Thabo Cele ignored again as Hugo Broos hands Sipho Mbule and Stellenbosch FC defender late call-ups

On Friday, September 5, Bafana Bafana will play Lesotho in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier to be staged at Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein.  

Four days later, Hugo Broos' men will be facing Nigeria's Super Eagles in another Group C outing at the same venue.

It is a vital game for South Africa, which may secure their ticket to compete in the tournament to be held jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.  

In his bid to achieve a favourable outcome, coach Hugo Broos selected the players he felt would deliver for him.

Among those who got a chance are Orlando Pirates midfielder Patrick Maswanganyi and Ime Okon, who recently sealed a move to the German Bundesliga 2 outfit Hannover 96. 

However, the duo is set to miss out after sustaining injuries in their recent fixtures for their clubs.

Orlando Pirates midfielder Maswanganyi was in action for Bucs against Chippa United on Sunday. He scored and missed a penalty as the Soweto giants claimed a 3-0 win over the Chilli Boys. 

However, the creative player did not finish the game owing to an unspecified injury; Broos has opted to replace him with Sipho Mbule as opposed to the in-form Kaizer Chiefs player Thabo Cele.  

Okon was part of the Hannover team that beat Holstein Kiel 2-1 on Saturday, but was subbed in the 77th minute due to a hamstring injury.

Stellenbosch defender Thabo Moloisane has since been called to the squad. 

Bafana Bafana top Group C with 13 points, five more than Rwanda and Benin, who are on eight each.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have seven points, while Lesotho, who are fifth, are on six, two more than bottom-placed Zimbabwe.

Six points in favour of Bafana Bafana might be enough to see them back in the World Cup for the first time since 2010.