Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has revealed the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder that will replace Thalente Mbatha in the latest squad, as well as provided an explanation for the shock decision to drop Stellenbosch FC's Jayden Adams.
Broos' troops have begun preparations for their upcoming 2025 AFCON Qualifier clash against the Republic of Congo scheduled for the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday.
Ahead of the match, the majority of the 23-man squad has reported for camp in the Eastern Cape.
However, it emerged on Monday that two players had been dropped from the squad.
READ | DROPPED: Bafana midfielder disciplined by Broos
Mbatha, who was in action for the Buccaneers on Saturday, picked up a knee injury and has since been confirmed to be replaced by Sundowns' Bathusi Aubaas.
Mbatha's club teammate Patrick Maswanganyi also picked up a niggle but was given the all-clear by the national team medical department.
In a more shocking turn of events, it also emerged that Adams, also in action this past Saturday for Stellenbosch, has also been dropped.
The 23-year-old reportedly failed to report to camp on the agreed date, despite teammate Fawaaz Basadien reporting on time.
"Jayden Adams is replaced by [Sinoxolo] Kwayiba. I will not give so much comment about that, but the behaviour of Jayden forced me to put him out of the team," Broos told journalists at the pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon.
"If you ask (expect) something about a player, it's that they are professionals, so if I feel that a guy doesn't have that attitude, then for me it's done.
"He is not a guy who is 16. He's not an old player either, but if he has the attitude that he had, the only thing I can do is get him out of the group, because this is not what I want from players.
"In the past months, several times I said, 'What a group I have'. I was so happy with the group: the right attitude, the right behaviour, professional, and everything you want.
"So, I can't afford to let someone in that doesn't have that attitude anymore. So, it's up to Jayden now to think about it, on what he's going to do with his future," added the Belgian.
ALSO READ | Mabasa: Riveiro pulled me to the side and said...
The recent developments come as somewhat of a setback for the head coach with midfielder Sphephelo Sithole also out of action with a long-term injury.
Kick-off on Friday is at 19:00.