Bafana Bafana defender Nkosinathi Sibisi will be unable to participate in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea, which is scheduled for Saturday at Orlando Stadium after sustaining an injury during training.
AFCON Qualification
Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane confirmed that defender Nkosinathi Sibisi has been excluded from the squad for the 2027 qualifier against Guinea, which will take place at Orlando Stadium. Sibisi was initially included in the thirty-man squad that Mosimane named for his first match back as coach.
Mosimane, who emphasized during a press conference that he plans to rely on the foundation laid by his predecessor Hugo Brues, expected Sibisi to play in defense against the Guinean national team. However, Sibisi's injury weakens Bafana's central defensive line. The team has already lost key players from the World Cup campaign, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who also withdrew from the camp due to injury.
Nevertheless, the remaining central defender, Impe Okon, will not be isolated. Mosimane remains confident in the sufficient depth of the team's defense, pointing to promising youth talent, among whom Olwetu Mahanya stands out, demonstrating good form for Rangers.
Mosimane commented on Sibisi's condition, stating: 'He hasn't trained for the last two days. He got injured in training. The doctor says he will miss this match. Injuries are part of professional sport. That's why we recruit many players. You never know what will happen.'
Sibisi is the second Bafana player to be ruled out due to injury since the group camp, following the ankle injury of Lebohanga Maboe, sustained during the first training session. Maboe was replaced by Tshepanga Moremi. It is important for Bafana to demonstrate solid defensive play so as not to start Mosimane's second term with a setback at Orlando Stadium, where strong fan support is expected during the long weekend match.