Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana depth eases injury concerns before Guinea qualifier

Pitso Mosimane’s first Bafana Bafana squad has given him plenty of options despite a number of important injuries ahead of Saturday’s 2007 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium (15:00).

South Africa will begin their Group D campaign with a difficult match before facing Eritrea at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday. They will complete the international window with a friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October.

Mosimane, in his second spell as Bafana head coach, must cope without injured defenders Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Khuliso Mudau, midfielder Thalente Mbatha and striker Evidence Makgopa. However, the quality of his squad means he is not short of replacements.

Olwethu Makhanya is expected to come into central defence alongside Ime Okon in place of Mbokazi. The Rangers FC defender from Glasgow missed out on playing at the 2026 Fifa World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada after former coach Hugo Broos selected Okon and Mbokazi as his preferred pairing. At the time, Makhanya was playing for Philadelphia Union in the US.

Okon, a quick centre-back with Hannover 96, impressed at the World Cup. Makhanya has since moved to Scotland, where he has formed a strong partnership with Emmanuel Fernandez at Rangers. He has also played a prominent role in the club’s consecutive victories over Celtic in the Old Firm derby this month.

Rangers have kept four successive clean sheets against Celtic twice, St Mirren and Motherwell. Those results helped them climb to second in the league and reach the next round of the League Cup, while Makhanya’s displays have earned praise from Scottish pundits and the club’s supporters.

Aubrey Modiba is likely to start at left-back, with Thapelo Morena, Kamogelo Sebelebele and Thabang Matuludi competing to replace Mudau on the right. Morena is the most experienced option, while Sebelebele has made an impressive start to the season with Orlando Pirates.

Matuludi made a surprise start for Mamelodi Sundowns in their 2-1 victory over Al-Ahli Saudi in the Fifa Intercontinental Cup last weekend and produced an impressive second-half performance. He is now a teammate of Morena at Sundowns.

Teboho Mokoena is expected to retain his place in defensive midfield. Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas and Brooklyn Poggenpoel are competing to partner him, while Lebohang Maboe has withdrawn after failing to recover from a knee injury. Maboe has revived his career at Kaizer Chiefs since leaving Mamelodi Sundowns.

Mosimane also has several attacking midfield options, including Oswin Appollis, Relebohile Mofokeng, Thapelo Maseko and Tshepang Moremi, who replaced Maboe in the squad. Themba Zwane, Puso Dithejane, Shandre Campbell and Tashreeq Matthews provide further alternatives from the bench.

Makgopa started Bafana’s final two World Cup matches against South Korea and Canada in Monterrey and Los Angeles. Iqraam Rayners is the most experienced replacement, although Cassius Mailula, Yanela Mbuthuma and Luther Singh are also possibilities.

Guinea will provide a stern test under coach Paulo Duarte, with Madiou Keita, Ilaix Moriba, Serhou Guirassy, Saidou Sow and Aboubacar Keita adding quality and experience to a balanced squad.