Bafana Bafana's prep for FIFA World Cup qualifiers hit by Rayners withdrawal

Bafana Bafana’s preparations for their all-important 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October have been disrupted by another withdrawal.

Mamelodi Sundowns forward Iqraam Rayners has had to withdraw from the national squad due to unspecified medical reasons and will be replaced in the group by Evidence Makgopa of Orlando Pirates.

Rayners’ withdrawal is the second one this week after Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng was unable to take his place in the squad after he suffered a serious-looking injury in their 1-0 win against Siwelele FC in the Carling Knockout on Sunday. Kaizer Chiefs forward Mduduzi Shabalala was called up as his replacement.

Bafana Bafana will play Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday before playing Rwanda next week Tuesday at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga in their last qualifier. South Africa will be hoping to complete their first successful World Cup qualifying campaign since 2001 when they booked their place in the 2002 edition of the tournament in Korea and Japan.

Bafana’s task was made a little more difficult last week when they had three points docked for fielding an ineligible player in their qualifier against Lesotho in March. Bafana are in second place in their group level on points with group leaders Benin, who are ahead on goal difference. Their remaining matches are against Rwanda and Nigeria, who both still have a mathematical chance of qualifying as well.

Broos is unfazed by their points deduction and is confident that his players will get the job done.

"There are no doubts, there have never been doubts from my side and I will try to transfer that to the group. I believe in that group and I’m sure that on Friday, they will do everything to win that game," said Broos.

Only the group winners are guaranteed a place at next year’s tournament, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.