Bafana Bafana’s preparations for their decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have suffered a fresh setback after in-form striker Iqraam Rayners was forced to withdraw from camp due to medical reasons.
In an official statement on Tuesday morning, SAFA confirmed:
“Iqraam Rayners has been withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana camp due to medical reasons. He was released back to his club this morning. Evidence Makgopa has been called up as his replacement.”
The latest development comes as a major blow to coach Hugo Broos, who is already without young playmaker Relebohile Mofokeng, ruled out through injury after featuring in Orlando Pirates’ 1–0 win over Siwelele FC last weekend. Mofokeng was replaced by Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala.
Rayners’ absence is particularly painful given his blistering form for Mamelodi Sundowns, where he has netted nine goals and one assist in just 12 appearances this season. His pace and finishing were expected to provide vital support to lead striker Lyle Foster.
His replacement, Evidence Makgopa, has been showing steady progress at Pirates, contributing one goal and three assists in 11 games across all competitions. Broos will now hope the lanky forward can rise to the challenge when South Africa face Zimbabwe in Durban on Friday and Rwanda in Mbombela next Tuesday — both matches kicking off at 6 PM.
Bafana must win both fixtures convincingly to stay in contention for automatic qualification to the World Cup — something they last achieved in 2002, having appeared at the 2010 edition only as hosts.