Bafana Bafana: Nyiko Mobbie injured and operated on, Thabiso Monyane called up as reinforcement | OneFootball

The Kaizer Chiefs defender joins the South African squad ahead of the decisive clash against Nigeria.

Thabiso Monyane

Thabiso Monyane has joined the Bafana Bafana camp to step in for Nyiko Mobbie, who was injured Friday night at the Free State Stadium against Lesotho (3-0). Head coach Hugo Broos has called up the Kaizer Chiefs right-back for the upcoming showdown with the Nigerian Super Eagles.

Nyiko Mobbie was forced off the pitch barely five minutes after the kickoff of the World Cup qualifier against Lesotho following a traumatic collision. The defender was replaced by Zuko Mdunyelwa after a violent clash of heads. "The injury occurred after a collision in the first half, and he suffered a triple orbital fracture," Dr. Molobi told SAFA.net.

Mobbie underwent emergency surgery on Saturday, September 6. As a result, for the crucial match between South Africa and Nigeria scheduled for Tuesday, September 9, as part of Matchday 9 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, coach Hugo Broos has called up Thabiso Monyane. The 25-year-old right-back, standing at 1.67m, joined Kaizer Chiefs on July 1, 2025, and now marks his return to Bafana Bafana.