Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos faced more questions from international media over the absence of Orlando Pirates striker and DStv Premiership top goal scorer Tshegofatso Mabasa.
South Africa settled for a point away when Fisayo Bashiru's second-half strike cancelled out Themba Zwane's opener on match-day three of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
READ | 'It was a disaster!' - Broos explains surprise decision over Mabasa
Neither Iqraam Rayners nor substitute Lyle Foster were able to get their name on the scoresheet during the tightly contested encounter, raising further scrutiny on Broos' decision to leave out Mabasa.
The Pirates' front-man had scored 16 league goals to scoop the DStv Premiership Golden Boot award but the 27-year-old was a surprise omission from Broos' squad to face Nigeria and Zimbabwe in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Asked at the time, Broos recalled an incident from 2021 in which Mabasa had to be pulled out after just 35 minutes.
"We had a bad experience with Mabasa two years ago. I had to change him after 35 minutes and everybody said it was a scandal.
"I don't think, for me, that I have to take him now because I have also Iqraam. Iqraam scored also 15 goals. It's a goal difference, so I give confidence to Iqraam right now. "It was a decision – him or Mabasa. But Iqraam did very well in the game against Algeria and I gave him the confidence now.
"We will follow Mabasa next season. Let's hope he continues what he did, scoring goals in the last four months. Then we will have another striker."Following Friday evening's draw against The Super Eagles, Broos was on the firing line once more on Mabasa's absence.
"Look, every coach who made a selection will have people not agree with him," the Belgian responded when asked by international media on Mabasa's absence.
"Every coach, from all over the world. So if you don't agree that I didn't take Mabasa or someone else, okay, that's your opinion. No problem for me."
Tshegofatso Mabasa in the #DStvPrem for Pirates since his return:
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ALSO READ | 'Look at Mshishi...' - Mabasa responds to Bafana snub
Mabasa has said he is not bothered by the snub from the national team. Meanwhile, Bafana will be aiming to collect all three points when they take on Zimbabwe on Tuesday evening in Bloemfontein.
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