Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has confirmed that Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bathusi Aubaas suffered an injury during a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea in Cairo, leaving the national team short in central midfield ahead of upcoming fixtures.
Bathusi Aubaas was handed a starting berth in central midfield for South Africa’s fixture at the Al-Salam Stadium on Wednesday night, stepping in while Teboho Mokoena was sidelined with an injury. However, his evening lasted only 11 minutes before physical trouble forced him off the pitch.
The early exit triggered a tactical substitution from the technical team, bringing Durban City FC midfielder Brooklyn Poggenpoel off the bench to make his national team debut. While the team cruised to a 5-0 victory over Eritrea, securing six points from their opening two Group D matches in the qualifiers, the physical toll on the squad became an immediate talking point.
Pitso Mosimane Details Bathusi Aubaas Emotional Dressing Room Reaction
The latest setback deals a heavy personal blow to the 31-year-old midfielder, who also missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to physical issues. Speaking to reporters after the match, the head coach laid bare the emotional impact the injury had on the player in the changing room.
Aubaas is one unfortunate player. I mean, Aubaas missed the World Cup because of an injury. Now, he was ready to come back to play, and again he broke down. Yeah, shame, man; he was crying in the dressing room, but we are there to support him and give him confidence. He is a very good football player. It was his chance to play again because he missed the World Cup. He will soon be back in the national team.
Pitso Mosimane, Bafana Bafana Head Coach, via Soccerladuma
Despite the fresh heartbreak, the coaching staff made it clear that the player remains part of the long-term national setup, emphasizing that the technical team retains full patience with his recovery process.
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Midfield Selection Crisis Deepens Ahead of Egypt Friendly
The departure of Aubaas compounds a mounting personnel shortage in the center of the pitch. He is the third central midfielder to pick up physical problems during the current international camp, following Lebohang Maboe and Teboho Mokoena.
The depleted squad now faces a high-profile friendly international against Egypt in Cairo, leaving the technical staff with limited options in central areas. The head coach explained how the missing personnel forced tactical adjustments during the qualifiers.
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“Teboho is out with injury; Aubaas is out with injury. So, we are losing a lot of players in the midfield, but it also gave Brooklyn a chance to play in his debut, and he played very well. He played like he has been playing all the time. We are a little bit thin against Egypt with central midfielders, and we had to bring Themba Zwane to play in the midfield because I wanted to take Yaya (Sphephelo Sithole) out because he is the only experienced one we are left with. We don’t have Teboho, we don’t have (Thalente) Mbatha, we lost Jayden (Adams), and we don’t have Aubaas. So, it’s a little bit unfortunate for us. We are loaded with wingers and full backs.”
Pitso Mosimane, Bafana Bafana Head Coach, via Afrik Foot
Brooklyn Poggenpoel Shines on Debut Amid Squad Adjustments
Amid the growing injury list, the emergence of debutant Brooklyn Poggenpoel provided a much-needed positive takeaway. Thrown into the action unexpectedly in the opening half, the newcomer delivered a composed performance that earned praise from the technical team.