Lebohang Maboe is out of the entire FIFA international window. The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder twisted his ankle in Sunday's league game against Golden Arrows, arrived at the Johannesburg camp the same night, went straight for scans, and the results weren't kind. Bafana team doctor Tshepo Molobi confirmed there's no way back for this window.
Orlando Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi gets the call instead. Pitso Mosimane has sent the official letter to Pirates, making Moremi the first enforced change since Mosimane returned for his second stint in charge earlier this month.
Awkward timing, real consequences
Maboe was brought in as a central midfielder — not a luxury role. Losing him in the buildup to Saturday's 2027 AFCON qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium is a genuine headache, not just a squad shuffle. This is the first competitive fixture of Mosimane's second spell. There's no easing in.
Moremi, 25, now has a chance to force his way into Mosimane's thinking at exactly the right moment. Pirates have had a solid start to the domestic season, and Moremi has been part of that. Whether he can translate club form into international minutes — possibly from the start — is the question.
Guinea away would have been daunting enough. Guinea at home, in Soweto, with a reshuffled midfield, is still a match Bafana are expected to control. Any slip here, and the qualifier picture gets complicated early.
What comes next
Saturday's Guinea clash is just the opener. After that, Bafana travel to Cairo to face Eritrea on 30 September, then stay in Egypt for a high-profile friendly against the hosts on 4 October. Mosimane is building something across these fixtures — Maboe's absence takes one piece off the table for all three.
Mosimane was appointed on 1 September and holds the role through to 2030. He has time. Right now, though, he needs a midfielder. Moremi's on his way.
