Hugo Broos explains Mdu Shabalala option to replace Rele Mofokeng

Morokeng suffered an injury and was substituted in Pirates’ Carling Knockout first round victory over Siwelele FC this past weekend.

With Shabalala returning after being part of last month’s camp, when Bafana played Lesotho and Nigeria Broos shared insight into how he may opt to use Shabalala.

"Rele Mofokeng, because of the injury he got on Saturday, is replaced by Shabalala. I think if you see the games of Chiefs, Mduduzi is somebody who has an action, he knows where to run when there is space," said Broos.

"For me, his best position is behind the striker, so if we use him it will be in that position."

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Broos has also confirmed that Lyle Foster and Siphephelo Sithole will only arrive on Tuesday, with Iqraam Rayners having also been replaced by Evidence Makgopa due to “medical reasons”.

This is arguably Broos’ biggest week as Bafana coach as he aims to confirm the country’s spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup – a tournament South Africa have not successfully qualified for since 2002. 

Following FIFA’s sanction that sees Bafana now sitting behind Benin on goal difference in CAF Group C, Broos has reiterated that their approach to these final two qualifiers does not change.

"I don't have to tell you that the next games are historical, everybody knows that it's 24 years since South Africa could qualify for a World Cup, and our situation has changed a little bit because of the deduction of three points," acknowledged Broos.

"But that's the only change – even with three points ahead, we would have had to win our last two games to be mathematically of being qualified, so that is not changing for us.

"And certainly, if you look at the next games, there are four teams involved, but it's impossible for four teams to win their remaining two matches, so the game of Friday is maybe the most important.

"If we can win that game [against Zimbabwe], we have 17 points; Nigeria, if they win their two games, can only have 17 points, and the same for Rwanda. 

"And if they win their two games, Benin cannot win their two games because they play against Nigeria and Rwanda. Therefore, the game on Friday is so important for us to win."