Overview
- As of late August, South Africa faces two urgent problems ahead of the opening qualifiers: several confirmed injuries that will rule key players out and a stalled appointment for the national coach.
- Right-back Khuliso Mudau has suffered an Achilles rupture that will require surgery and months of recovery, and defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi is out for the MLS season with a thigh injury, ensuring both will miss the September qualifiers.
- Midfielder Teboho Mokoena and other internationals including Thalente Mbatha, Evidence Makgopa and Bradley Cross are reported injured, leaving selectors with a significantly depleted pool of experienced players.
- Hugo Broos left at the end of July and SAFA’s NEC reportedly approved Pitso Mosimane as successor, but negotiations are stalled over salary and control of the technical team so Molefi Ntseki is being considered as an interim option.
- CAF has fixed the first qualifying match window in late September and South Africa must finalise coaching and summon replacements quickly to protect the momentum from their 2026 World Cup run and avoid tactical disruption.