Evidence Makgopa has been called up to the Bafana Bafana squad to replace Lebo Mothiba.
The Orlando Pirates striker was the hero for his club recently as he netted the winner in the Soweto derby with rivals Kaizer Chiefs.
He has scored a total of three goals from 11 games in all competitions this season, having overcome an ankle injury that kept him sidelined for much of last term.
Mothiba, who plays his football in France for Ligue 1 club Strasbourg, withdrew from the squad to face Benin and Rwanda in 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Makgopa has previously been called up by South Africa boss Hugo Broos, and played five games in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
Evidence Makgopa replaces the injured Lebo Mothiba in the Bafana squad. 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/76BYUJR8Dp
— Lorenz Köhler (@Lorenz_KO) November 13, 2023
Broos said in the Citizen: “He was with us a long time ago, we are very happy with him, he is playing at Pirates, and he is a little bit the same as Mothiba.
“It is a pity after his injury that he didn’t play so much for Pirates but we have always followed him, and I was very happy that in the last four or five games, he has always played.”
Bafana must make do without Mothiba as well as Burnley striker Lyle Foster, who is currently seeking help for mental health issues.
Broos added: “It is a loss, I can’t say it is nothing, but it will not be an excuse if the results are not there against Benin and Rwanda.
“I am confident in the players who are there and I know we can win against both teams if we achieve our normal level.”
