Bafana Bafana will be without Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba when South Africa face Eritrea in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Cairo on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
Head coach Pitso Mosimane confirmed that the two Mamelodi Sundowns players are unavailable after injuries kept them from training with the squad since its arrival in Egypt. Medical scans subsequently confirmed that both players were injured.
The news comes only days after both players featured in South Africa’s 2-1 victory over Guinea in Johannesburg.
Modiba and Mokoena ruled out
Modiba was forced off during the second half of the Guinea match after suffering an injury. Mokoena, meanwhile, experienced discomfort late in the game but remained on the field as Bafana saw out the victory.
Mosimane confirmed ahead of the Eritrea fixture that neither player had been able to train with the team since arriving in Cairo.
The coach said the medical assessments confirmed the injuries and ruled the pair out of Wednesday’s match.
Both players remain with the squad while receiving treatment. Mosimane did not provide a definite return date and said their availability for the following international fixture against Egypt was also uncertain.
Who could replace Modiba?
Modiba’s absence leaves Mosimane with several options at left-back.
Samukele Kabini is one of the players who could come into the starting XI. The Molde defender replaced Modiba against Guinea and subsequently scored the winning goal in South Africa’s 2-1 victory.
Mosimane has also identified other defensive options within his squad, including Fawaaz Basadien.
The coach previously explained that having a large squad during the international window was partly intended to provide cover when injuries affected the team.
Mokoena’s absence affects the midfield
Mokoena started the Guinea match alongside Sphephelo Sithole in the central midfield.
His absence gives Mosimane another selection decision ahead of the Eritrea fixture.
Bathusi Aubaas is among the midfielders available to the coach, while the squad also includes Sithole and Brooklyn Poggenpoel.
The final team selection will determine how Mosimane reshapes the midfield without one of the players who started the opening qualifier.
South Africa head into the match after a winning start
Bafana began their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena on 26 September.
Samukele Kabini scored the decisive goal after Guinea had equalised, giving Mosimane a winning start in his return as South Africa’s head coach.
The Eritrea match is the second qualifier of the international window.
Eritrea’s home fixture is being played in Cairo, Egypt, rather than in Eritrea. The match is scheduled for Al-Salam Stadium, with kick-off at 6pm South African time.
Why the injuries matter for Bafana
Mokoena and Modiba were both included in Mosimane’s 30-man squad for the opening 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The coach had retained a strong core of experienced players while also bringing several new faces into the national team.
Their absence means Mosimane must make changes to a team that has just started a new qualifying campaign.
The situation also highlights why the coach selected a larger squad for this international window, with Bafana scheduled to play three matches: qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea followed by a friendly against Egypt.
For now, the confirmed position is straightforward: Mokoena and Modiba will not feature against Eritrea, while their availability for the Egypt friendly remains uncertain.
Match information
Match: Eritrea vs South Africa
Competition: 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier
Date: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Venue: Al-Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt
Kick-off: 6pm South African time
Unavailable: Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba — injury
Editorial note
This report is based on the latest information available from the Bafana Bafana camp and reporting published ahead of the Eritrea fixture. Player availability can change following further medical assessments.
Disclaimer
This article reports football team news and is not a medical assessment of either player’s injury. No return date should be assumed unless confirmed by the South African national team or the relevant medical and football authorities.
Corrections policy
If new official information changes the status of either player, or if an error is identified in this report, the article should be updated against the latest verified information.
