Overview
- South Africa face Zimbabwe on Friday at Moses Mabhida Stadium and Rwanda on Tuesday at Mbombela Stadium in Group C qualifying.
- Sithole sustained a double tibia and fibula fracture in September 2024 against South Sudan and missed a year of international action.
- He regained fitness at Tondela with six reported appearances and a recent goal, which underpinned his national team return.
- The midfielder says he feared the injury might end his career and describes the rehabilitation as mentally draining while he supported teammates remotely.
- Coach Hugo Broos welcomes him back as an important option and notes that two wins are widely viewed by local outlets as likely to secure 2026 qualification.