Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena's game-time fitness will be put to the test when he resumes his Bafana Bafana duties on Friday.
It has been a rather strange last four weeks for Mokoena at Sundowns since returning from the last FIFA break in September when Bafana played Uganda and South Sudan in getting their Group K AFCON qualification campaign underway.
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He didn't play both legs of the CAF Champions League tie against Mbabane Swallows and hasn't featured in the three Betway Premiership games played by the side so far.
It was understandable that he was rested for the lightweight Champions League matches against the Eswatini champions, but his absence in games against SuperSport United, Marumo Gallants and Kaizer Chiefs has been a centre of focus.
Whatever has been the reason behind why he hasn't played at the Chloorkop-based outfit, it is now having ripple effects for the senior national team with Hugo Broos concerned.
The former SuperSport United man has been a prominent figure for the Belgian, playing from start to finish in the last 15 caps that he has to his name.
Since the 72-year-old took over as Bafana coach three years ago, Mokoena has only missed two camps.
Having now spent a month since he played competitive football, questions will be asked about whether the 27-year-old will still be able to put in a full shift in this round of AFCON qualifiers.
Bafana host Congo at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday, before travelling to Brazzaville for the return leg next Tuesday.
Broos is already without Sphephelo Sithole and Thalente Mbatha in midfield, with Jayden Adams adding his name to that list after failing to report for camp.
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Bathusi Aubaas has arrived in camp having played only 12 minutes in the league at Sundowns this season.
This means Mokoena will still be needed in midfield regardless of what has been happening at club level.