Mamelodi Sundowns star Iqraam Rayners pulls out of South Africa squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers

Mamelodi Sundowns star Iqraam Rayners has pulled out of South Africa’s squad for the final round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Bafana Bafana’s World Cup qualification bid suffered a major setback after being declared losers in their match against Lesotho back in March for fielding an eligible player, Teboho Mokoena.

Currently, South Africa sit second in Group C with two games to end the qualifiers, and now have their destiny in their own hands

The Bafana Bafana will play host to Zimbabwe on Friday, October 10 in Johannesburg before traveling to Kigali for the final round of games, four days later.

Ahead of the game, Iqraam Rayners has withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad for medical reasons, with Orlando Pirates’ Evidence Makgopa stepping in as his replacement.

Makgopa has already joined the camp ahead of the final two FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Alongside Makgopa, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos will have Burnley striker Lyle Foster as another centre-forward option, who has a goal and an assist in seven games for the Clarets in the Premier League.