Bafana Bafana’s preparations for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe have been marred by travel delays on top of the injury concerns.

Despite the South African Football Association (SAFA) chartering a flight to Nigeria on Wednesday, the team arrived early on Thursday, suggesting potential logistical issues.

Adding to coach Hugo Broos’ woes was the growing list of Mamelodi Sundowns players reporting to camp with injuries. Defender Grant Kekana, a vital part of the squad, was forced to withdraw due to a hamstring injury and replaced by Kaizer Chiefs’ Given Msimango.

Broos believes the congested fixture schedule faced by Sundowns players is the root of these recurring soft-tissue injuries. He highlighted the importance of Sundowns players to the national team and expressed his fear of similar problems during the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers later this year.

“Imagine missing six players in September due to the same injuries,” said Broos. “Everybody knows Sundowns players are the core of Bafana Bafana. It worries me that we might not be able to select five or six players in September due to injuries.”

Broos urged the Sundowns medical staff to investigate the cause of these recurring groin and hamstring injuries, suggesting they might not solely be due to overloaded schedules. SUndowns played more matches than any other PSL side, 57 in all competitions and that exclude some of their players forming part of the Africa Cup of Nations that claimed a bronze medal in Febryuary in Ivory Coast.

Bafana Bafana, after facing Nigeria in Uyo on Friday – a repeat of the Africa Cup of Nations semi final, will return home to host Zimbabwe at the Free State Stadium on Tuesday.

Article by Trevor Magoro