Shabalala replaces Mofokeng in Bafana squad for must win qualifiers

October 6, 2025 219

Orlando Pirates attacker, Relebohile Mofokeng, has been withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, after sustaining an injury during the Carling Knockout Cup over the weekend.

Mofokeng picked up the knock during Pirates 1-0 win over Siwelele FC at Orlando Stadium, ruling him out of the must-win fixtures against Zimbabwe & Rwanda on Friday and Monday respectively.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder, Mduduzi Shabalala, has been called up by coach Hugo Broos, as Mofokeng’s replacement.

Shabalala joined the Bafana camp on Monday for the second time after he was part of the Bafana team that played in the qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, although he did not feature in either match.

“We had to replace Rele Mofokeng because of the injury he got on Saturday,” Broos told the media at a press conference at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Monday afternoon.

Broos also confirmed that all his players had reported for camp, with the exception of overseas-based duo Lyle Foster and Sphephelo Sithole, who are expected to join the squad on Tuesday morning.

We are back!!!
Bafana Bafana have arrived in camp ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday, and Rwanda 🇷🇼 at Mbombela stadium next Tuesday.#BafanaPride @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/r2SFgf25Br

— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 6, 2025