Hugo Broos regularly selects Orlando Pirates players. However, one big name continues to miss Bafana calls with 10 months to go until the World Cup.
Tshegofatso Mabasa has proved his credentials as a reliable goal-scorer in the PSL.
However, Hugo Broos finds reasons to exclude the former Swallows man.
Nigerian fan implies corruption by Kaizer Chiefs star in Bafana match
Broos is beefing with Orlando Pirates star Mabasa
It seems clear now that there’s a personal issue between prolific Pirates marksman Tshegofatso Mabasa and Bafana boss Hugo Broos. Evidence Makgopa is now a regular in Broos’ squads, but 2023-2024 PSL Golden Boot winner Mabasa is out in the cold. The 29-year-old has already scored in three separate competitions for the Sea Robbers this term; the 10 months lying ahead will be pivotal to him proving his mettle and booking an unlikely spot on the plane to the Americas in June 2026.
What are Bafana’s striker options?
Burnley’s Lyle Foster is the favourite to lead the line. Meanwhile, Stellenbosch wide attacker Ashley Cupido is also vying for the number 9 role, as are Sundowns’ Iqraam Rayners and Pirates man Evidence Makgopa.
Orlando Pirates seal the deal for Bafana
Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa scored as South Africa beat Rwanda to claim a place at the World Cup 2026. Pirates duo Sipho Chaine and Tshepang Moremi didn’t feature off the bench in the 3-0 win. That result, coupled with a 4-0 win for Nigeria over Benin, sealed the deal for Hugo Broos’ men. Former Napoli marksman Osimhen, who won the Capocannoniere award in Serie A in 2024, is now with Galatasaray and bagged a crucial hat-trick for the Super Eagles. Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka grabbed the other goal.
This will be South Africa’s first appearance at a World Cup finals since 2010.
Buccaneers soar throughout World Cup 2026 qualifying
Meanwhile, Orlando Pirates players have scored Bafana’s last four goals (excluding the own goal by William Troost-Ekong in a 1-1 draw with Nigeria), including Appollis’ icing-on-the-cake strike against Lesotho back in September as Bafana claimed a solid 3-0 away win. The other goals on that evening were scored by players with strong Pirates connections; ex-Sea Robbers Mohau Nkota and Lyle Foster.