The ripple effects of the inconsistencies in the Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeping department looks set to spread to Bafana Bafana ahead of the AFCON finals.
With the finals in Cote d'Ivoire now just five weeks away, Chiefs appear certain to lose out on having one of their goalkeepers in the national team squad for the fifth consecutive Bafana appearance at the tournament.
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Bruce Bvuma was at the 2019 AFCON finals but didn't play while Nhlanhla Khuzwayo was also in the squad when he went to the 2015 AFCON finals with Itumeleng Khune representing the club on the other two previous appearances in 2008 and 2013.
Chiefs are unlikely to have a keeper in the squad with Brandon Petersen having made a mess of his chances while Bruce Bvuma has only played once.
Khune – who won his last Bafana Bafana cap – is in the freezer for alcohol-related allegations.
"For me, I will stick with the ones that have been there already in Veli Mothwa and Ricardo Goss as second and third choice respectively," argued former Black Leopards keeper Joel Masutha.
"I will go with continuity and if it happens that they need a fourth keeper then it must be Melusi Buthelezi who has been called before.
"Bvuma has only played one game and so it will be very much unfair to the other keepers if he gatecrashes the party so late.
"I know Hugo Broos used to call him when he wasn't even playing at his club, but the dynamics have changed now, and the pool is wider now.
"I don't think there is going to be enough matches for Bvuma to play before the AFCON, so his chance is slim now unless maybe all other keepers in front of him get injured.
"I feel Veli and Goss are familiar with the space and will be choices that won't bring instability to the team," says Masutha.
Prior to his latest appearance, Bvuma has last played in October 2022 through a season in which he only played four games.
While his chance has come late, Bvuma's situation is not discouraging for former Bafana first choice Hans Vonk.
"My experience has always told me that it has to be clear who is number one, number two, and three when going to a tournament," said Honk, who won 43 Bafana Bafana caps and played at the 1998 World Cup, 2000 and 2002 AFCON finals.
"I'm me not someone who believes in that we need three keepers at the same level because for me there must be a number one, two, and three.
"Ronwen Williams is the first choice and there is no doubt about that but for the second and third choice options which are still important, it is for the coach to make the decision.
"They should know where they stand.
"For me, the number one is clear so you then take an experienced goalkeeper plus a younger keeper to learn as your number three.
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"Whether it is Bvuma or whoever else I don't know because that decision will be made by the coach.
"The clear understanding with the goalkeepers is created by the coach making it clear that this is number one, two, and three keepers," says Vonk.