Maboe injured his ankle while playing for Amakhosi at the weekend, and scans have revealed that the damage will keep him out of the games against Guinea and Eritrea (September 30), as well as the friendly against Egypt on October 4.
It is a shame for Maboe, who last played for the national team in 2021.
The qualification competition for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be staged between September 2026 and March 2027. The 48 teams have been drawn into 12 groups, with the top two in each pool advancing to the 24-team finals. Hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda qualify automatically, but are playing in the qualifiers. Only one other team will advance from their pools.
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He will be replaced in the squad by Orlando Pirates’ Tshepang Moremi, the eighth winger to be included by new coach Pitso Mosimane.
It is not quite a like-for-like replacement, and why Mosimane felt he needed yet another wide option is unclear.
Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas and Brooklyn Poggenpoel are the four midfield options remaining in the squad.