Mokoena’s box-to-box style makes him invaluable to the side, as does his goal threat from midfield.
The truth is there is no like-for-like replacement in the current squad. Perhaps the closest would be Orlando Pirates’ Thalente Mbatha, but he is also sidelined by injury.
Lebo Maboe from Kaizer Chiefs also pulled out of the squad with an injury early in the camp.
Assuming Yaya Sithole will start and coach Pitso Mosimane sticks to his tried-and-trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, we take a look at the contenders to replace Mokoena.
Caps: 18
The Mamelodi Sundowns man seems the most likely, though he is very similar to Sithole and ordinarily you would not expect to see them on the pitch at the same time unless Mosimane is trying to close out a game.
It could release Sithole to go further forward, but that is not necessarily something Mosimane would ordinarily choose.
It would certainly close down the midfield area, but might be overkill in that regard against an Eritrean side Bafana would be keen to attack.
Aubaas came on for Relebohile Mofokeng late on against Guinea as Mosimane looked to close things down.
Pencil this one in as likely, but Aubaas has just two goals and five assists in 159 appearances for top-flight clubs.
AFCON qualification
The qualification competition for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations takes place from September 2026 to March 2027. The 48 teams have been drawn into 12 groups, with the top two in each advancing to the 24-team finals. Hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda qualify automatically, but are still playing in the qualifiers; only one other team will advance from their groups.
AFCON qualifying fixtures | AFCON qualifying standings | African football news
Caps: 1
Poggenpoel won a single cap for Bafana Bafana at the 2024 COSAFA Cup, but it would be something of a risk to throw him in for an away AFCON qualifier, even on neutral territory against a minnow opponent.
But he has had a good season for Durban City so far and possibly gives the side a little more going forward, though not much. He has one goal and four assists in 108 appearances for his various top-flight clubs.
He is a little more mobile than Aubaas but does not have the same physicality.
Mosimane is not one for taking risks and you would have to say he is an option off the bench at most.