Bafana coach Hugo Broos has called for fans to be patient with Orlando Pirates' Patrick Maswanganyi, who has been tipped as the long-term replacement for Themba Zwane.
Broos' charges will be looking to secure a spot at next year's AFCON when they take on Uganda and South Sudan in the latest and last round of qualifiers for the continental showpiece.
Broos had named an initial 38-man squad for the upcoming matches, which has now been trimmed down to a final 23.
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The Belgian mentor is without talismanic midfielder Themba Zwane who nursing a lengthy injury sustained during the last qualifier against Congo Brazzaville.
His replacement in that match was Maswanganyi, who found himself at the receiving end of criticism from social media as Bafana struggled to a 1-1 draw.
Speaking to journalists after announcing his final squad on Wednesday, Broos came to the defence of 'Tito', insisting that the 26-year-old had received ample opportunity on national team duty.
"I don't think Patrick has had a good opportunity," Broos said.
"He was always coming into the games and it was not so easy to come in the game against Congo because we suffered in that game.
"It's not always ready for a play who plays his first minutes with Bafana Bafana immediately to have an important job.
"So for him it's also to adapt a little bit to our way of playing and what I am asking from him in that position. So, okay we will see.
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"In the next few games we will evaluate, but I still believe he has the potential to replace Themba Zwane.
"He has not shown it for the moment at Bafana Bafana but okay, we will see. Have a bit of patience and maybe in a few months, we will have to say no, or yes. Maybe, we will see.
Bafana will host Uganda away on Friday, 15 November, before hosting South Sudan in Cape Town on Tuesday, 19 November.