South Africa Hit by Injury Blow Ahead of Final 2026 WCQ Matches

South Africa have suffered a major setback ahead of their final two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, after key midfielder Relebohile Mofokeng was ruled out due to injury.

The news was confirmed by head coach Hugo Broos during a press conference on Monday, October 7, 2025, ahead of their Group C match against Zimbabwe on Friday.

To fill the void left by Mofokeng, Broos has called up midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala. “We replaced him with Shabalala,” Broos said. He also noted that two other players, Lyle Foster and Sphephelo Sithole, have yet to join the squad, as they were involved in matches on Sunday.

South Africa currently sit in second place in Group C following FIFA’s points deduction, holding 14 points. The team will face Rwanda in their final qualifier next week, in what will be a crucial match for their hopes of advancing to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Broos’ squad selection underscores the challenges facing South Africa as they approach these critical fixtures. The absence of Mofokeng, a key creative midfielder, could impact the team’s attacking options and overall balance. Despite this, the coach remains confident that the squad can adapt and maintain their performance levels.

With the pressure mounting, South Africa will need to secure victories in both of their remaining games to strengthen their position in Group C. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team manages these last fixtures amid injury setbacks and scheduling challenges.

The team’s resilience and tactical adjustments will be pivotal if they hope to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Broos’ leadership and strategic decisions will likely play a key role in determining the outcome of South Africa’s campaign in the qualifiers.