CAPE TOWN – Bafana Bafana have suffered a major setback ahead of their crucial FIFA World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe, set to take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday evening.
Striker Iqraam Rayners has been withdrawn from the squad, with Orlando Pirates forward Evidence Makgopa earning a call-up as his replacement ahead of upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Rayners has been withdrawn due to medical reasons, dealing a further blow to the team’s preparations ahead of Friday’s crucial match.
This development comes just a day after Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos confirmed that midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng had been withdrawn from the squad on Monday due to injury, with Mduduzi Shabalala called up as his replacement.
Shabalala, who joined the camp and trained with the team on the same day, was later joined by Lyle Foster and Sphephelo Sithole, both of whom reported for national duty on Tuesday morning.
Following the clash against Zimbabwe, the South African senior men’s national team will host Rwanda in their final FIFA World Cup qualifier at Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 14 October 2025.
Both fixtures are scheduled to kick off at 18h00.
Image: @BafanaBafana/Twitter.
