Hugo Broos still weighing Bafana centre-back options for Rwanda

Mbokazi was sent off in the dying minutes of Friday's goalless draw with Zimbabwe, with Stellenbosch FC defender Thabo Moloisane having been called in as a replacement. 

With Bafana's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification hopes on the line, Broos said he was still undecided on his pairing in the heart of defence, with Moloisane, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Malibongwe Khoza and Khulumani Ndamane as his options.

"[Mbokazi] is very strong in defending, but also in transition and building up [from the back], so you don't want to lose a player like this for an important game like [today]," said Broos.

"But yeah, it was a reaction from a young player who was provoked two times in five minutes, and he couldn't control himself, so he did something that he didn't have to do and got a red card – we can't discuss that, it was a red card.

"But I don't blame him for that, those are things a young player has to learn. I can't say well done, certainly not, but I will not blame him for that.

"So we have to think about how we will replace him, and I have to talk with Helman [Mkhalele] again because it's not an easy decision, so we will see – there are two options, we will see which option is best for the team, and let's hope we take the right decision."

READ: Broos admits setback in World Cup qualification race but still clings to hope

Another doubt for the match was Burnley forward Lyle Foster, who was stull limping and had his knee heavily strapped as he sat out of the MD-1 training session at Mbombela Stadium on Monday.

Despite the player initially declaring he feels okay, Broos suggested that – like Mbokazi – their 25-year-old key striker will also not be avialable this evening.

"I think Lyle has become a very important player for us, we have to admit that, and he was a little bit unlucky on Friday also, when you see his previous games, nearly every time he's scored a goal," the Belgian added.

"He had a very big chance and they cleared it off the line, but he's a very important player – just like Mbokazi, but they will not be there tomorrow.

"So we have to be confident and believe in the players who are there and, from my side, I give them my confidence and my trust, and let's see what happens.

"But again, this is not a coach who is doubting now about what will happen or doubting the quality of some players, or the players who are not [available]."