When Bafana Bafana take to the field against the Cranes on Friday, Themba Zwane's name will ring bells in the dressing room despite his absence.
Friday will be exactly a month since Zwane was forced out in the first half of the last qualifier against Congo in Brazzaville with an Achilles tendon rupture.
READ: Double the price for fans to watch Bafana!
The veteran midfielder has since undergone surgery, and his absence is estimated to stretch between four to six months.
With the month that has already passed, the 35-year-old has already missed seven games at Mamelodi Sundowns.
That number will keep moving rapidly with the team due to play up to 30 games in the next four months, which will include the Carling Knockout final, Betway Premiership games, CAF Champions League group matches and the start of the Nedbank Cup at the end of January.
At Bafana, his absence will have him missing the next two Bafana matches, against Uganda and South Sudan, and is also unlikely to be involved in the next FIFA dates in March.
Hugo Broos must now find a replacement for Zwane, who was a starter in all the 23 caps won under the Belgian gaffer.
READ: New PSL exco member: Failure is not an option
The Tembisa-born star has only been an unused substitute thrice under Broos, demonstrating the value of what he has brought to the national team since his 33rd birthday.
Who the head coach decides to bring to play in the offensive midfield spaces that Zwane has been thriving in will do so with expectations.
Of note is that Zwane has won half his Bafana caps under Broos in the period since September 2022 when he was already 33.