AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Bafana Bafana Dealt Major Blow Ahead of Guinea Clash

• Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane confirmed a huge setback for his team ahead of the Guinea clash at Orlando Stadium
• Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi had been unable to participate in Bafana Bafana sessions for two consecutive days
• South Africa face Guinea on Saturday at 15:00 at the Orlando Amstel Arena to open their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has ruled out defender Nkosinathi Sibisi for Saturday's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying opener against Guinea after the player picked up a knock during training.

Mosimane confirmed that the medical team assessed Sibisi and determined he would not be fit in time for the fixture, which kicks off at 15:00 at the Orlando Amstel Arena. The coach noted that the defender had been unable to join team sessions for two consecutive days prior to the announcement.

Sibisi's Importance to Bafana

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Sibisi is among the most capped and consistent figures in the current national setup, having been included in Hugo Broos' very first squad as Bafana head coach five years ago. He has remained a fixture in the squad ever since, forming part of an experienced defensive core alongside captain Ronwen Williams and midfielder Teboho Mokoena.

The trio contributed significantly to South Africa's historic run to third place at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and were integral to the team's successful 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.

Squad Depth Cushions the Blow

Mosimane acknowledged that injuries are an inevitable part of football at the highest level and said the squad had been assembled with sufficient depth to absorb such disruptions. He pointed to the earlier withdrawal of striker Lebo Mothiba as one of the reasons a larger group of players was selected for the international camp, giving the coaching staff the flexibility to manage unforeseen changes.

Despite losing both Sibisi and Mothiba ahead of the tournament opener, the coach said the mood inside the Bafana camp remained upbeat as preparations continued for the Guinea match.

South Africa's 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign begins on Saturday afternoon, with the Guinea fixture presenting the team's first opportunity to set the tone for the road ahead.

Source: Briefly News