Bafana Bafana dealt fresh defensive blow as Nkosinathi Sibisi misses Guinea qualifier

Bafana Bafana will be without Nkosinathi Sibisi for Saturday’s 2027 AFCON qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium after the defender suffered a training-ground injury.

Head coach Pitso Mosimane confirmed Sibisi had been ruled out after picking up a knock, adding to the defensive concerns surrounding his first match back in charge of the national side.

Sibisi was part of the 30-man squad selected by Mosimane for the fixture. The coach had indicated in his media briefing that he intended to build on the foundations established by his predecessor, Hugo Broos, which had raised the possibility of Sibisi starting against the Syli National.

His absence leaves Bafana Bafana with fewer options at central defence. The squad is already without Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was also ruled out of the camp because of injury.

Mosimane, however, believes the team still has enough cover in the position and will not be overly reliant on the remaining central defender, Ime Okon. He pointed to the younger players in the squad, including Olwethu Makhanya, who has been in good form for Rangers.

“He hasn’t trained in the last two days. He sustained a knock at training,” Mosimane said of Sibisi.

“The doctor says he’ll miss this one. Injuries are part of professional sport. That’s why we select a lot of numbers. You don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Sibisi is the second Bafana Bafana player to withdraw through injury since the squad began its preparations for the match.

Lebohang Maboe was injured during the opening training session after sustaining an ankle problem. He has subsequently been replaced in the squad by Tshepang Moremi.

The latest setback increases the importance of a disciplined defensive display against Guinea, with Bafana Bafana aiming to avoid beginning Mosimane’s second spell in charge with a disappointing result.

The match will be played at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, with a sizeable crowd expected for the long-weekend fixture.