Kaizer Chiefs' stolen gem replaces Mamelodi Sundowns star in Bafana Bafana squad as Hugo Broos makes changes ahead of 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers

Coach Hugo Broos has made another change to the Bafana Bafana 2026 World Cup qualifying squad after calling up Sekhukhune United left-back Vuyo Letlapa to replace Aubrey Modiba.

Sekhukhune United confirmed that their star has indeed been summoned for his first-ever call-up.

This is the second time Broos has been made to tweak his squad after he called up Polokwane City's midfielder Ndamulelo Maphangule to replace Orlando Pirates' Patrick Maswanganyi.

The Bucs star withdrew from the squad due to injury and was also not part of the team that saw off Sundowns during Sunday's Premier Soccer League (PSL) encounter at the FNB Stadium.

Meanwhile, on Monday, Broos had explained why Modiba was unlikely to feature in the World Cup qualifiers against both Benin and Lesotho.

“It’s been a long time since we started a camp with 23 players present, but one is not here, Aubrey Modiba, but he has something more important than being at a camp with the national team as his wife gives birth,” Broos had stated on Monday.

“It needs to be in the presence of the father; this is why Aubrey is not here, but he might join us later, but I think these things are more important in life than a qualification game for the World Cup," the coach added.

The late call-up for Letlapa is a morale-boosting gesture for a full-back who has been in good form for his club.

The 21-year-old signed for Sekhukhune from Jomo Cosmos and has gone on to establish himself as a key figure for the PSL outfit within a short period.

Before he joined Babina Noko, Chiefs were highly interested in luring him to Naturena. However, the promising star ended up signing for Sekhukhune United alongside midfielder Thabang Monare and goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua.

Now, filling the Modiba slot in the Bafana team is not going to be an easy task for Letlapa. The Sundowns left-back has been a regular starter for the national team since Broos was appointed.

However, his performance for Sekhukhune United, where he also boasts three assists and a Man of the Match award during the Richards Bay game, should motivate him as he joins the Bafana teammates.

Should he get a chance to play in the qualifiers, Letlapa must work hard and prove his worth to Broos. He has to stamp his authority in order to be a regular face in the Bafana set-up and not just a replacement.

South Africa will face Lesotho on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium.