Head coach Hugo Broos admits he is still struggling in his search for Themba Zwane's replacement in the event that the Mamelodi Sundowns man should sustain an injury or be unavailable.
The Belgian tactician was pleased to welcome Zwane back into the national team after an injury forced Broos to replace the attacking midfielder for last month's friendlies against Namibia and DR Congo.
READ | Pirates' Mako, Chiefs' Mthethwa headline latest Bafana squad
Broos admitted that for both matches, Zwane's absence was felt even after trying Lyle Foster in the position and is relieved to have the Sundowns attacker in the latest squad.
With the Afcon taking place next year and the 2026 FIFA World Cup just two years away, Broos admits a long-term replacement for Zwane has been hard to come by.
"Well first of all it depends on Themba [if he will still be playing], okay when he goes on playing like he's playing now, I still don't see any problem [why he can't be selected] and to answer your question yes, we have a problem if Themba is not ready or injured," Broos said on SABC Sport on Thursday.
"We don't find for the moment exactly the same player (a player similar to Zwane). There are some but they don't play in their team or not all the games,
"So we still have two months [before the Afcon] to see and at the end okay there is still Percy [Tau] who can play that position, but yes I rather hope and expect that we find someone to replace Themba Zwane when he is not available, but for the moment yes, it's not too easy to find him."
Bafana Bafana host Eswatini on Friday, 13 October.
Full Bafana Squad:
GOALKEEPERS: Ronwen Williams [Mamelodi Sundowns], Veli Mothwa [AmaZulu], Ricardo Goss [SuperSport United]
DEFENDERS: Nyiko Mobbie [Sekhukhune United], Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Nkosinathi Sibisi [Orlando Pirates],Aubrey Modiba [Mamelodi Sundowns], Khuliso Mudau [Mamelodi Sundowns], Mothobi Mvala [Mamelodi Sundowns], Siyanda Xulu [SuperSport United], Paseka Mako [Orlando Pirates].
MIDFIELDERS: Njabulo Blom [St.Louis City], Teboho Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Sibongiseni Mthethwa [Kaizer Chiefs].
FORWARDS: Mihlali Mayambela [Aris Limassol], Themba Zwane [Mamelodi Sundowns], Percy Tau [Al Ahly], Zakhele Lepasa [Orlando Pirates], Lyle Foster [Burnley], Lebo Mothiba [Strasbourg], Monnapule Saleng [Orlando Pirates] Bongokuhle Hlongwani [Minesota United].
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