After their successful World Cup qualification matches, Bafana Bafana players have returned to their club duties, facing challenges such as player fatigue and injuries. Mamelodi Sundowns head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, expressed concern that midfielder Modiba was not rested during one of the matches, given his already demanding schedule and injury. Additionally, Mokwena fears that central defender Mothobi Mvala may be absent from their upcoming CAF Champions League match due to his injury sustained during national team duty. Despite these challenges, Bafana Bafana will face tough matches in the African Cup of Nations.
Egyptian football superstar Mohamed Salah showed exceptional skill and agility during a World Cup qualifier match against Djibouti, scoring all four goals in a 60 victory. Salah’s remarkable form pushed his total career goals for Egypt to 52. In other matches, Algeria achieved a 31 victory over Somalia, while Kenya suffered a 21 loss to Gabon in Group F. The qualifiers highlighted the unpredictable nature of football and the aweinspiring talent of Salah.
Coach Hugo Broos surprised many with his squad selection for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, including Sibongiseni Mthethwa from Kaizer Chiefs. The rest of the elite squad comes from Mamelodi Sundowns, with eight players selected. The team faces a daunting challenge, with their first match against Benin on November 18th, 2023, followed by an away game against Rwanda on November 21st. The Bafana Bafana team will need two positive results from their first group C matches to advance to the 48team FIFA World Cup in 2026.