Blab Sports
Modibas Return Boosts Bafana Bafana Ahead of World Cup Opener
South Africa’s national team, known as Bafana Bafana, received a positive development in the days before their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Hugo Broos said that defender Aubrey Modiba, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, could be ready to train with the squad on Tuesday and may be available for the Thursday game against Mexico. The announcement comes as the team prepares to face the hosts in Group A.
Modiba, the left‑back for Mamelodi Sundowns, has been out of action since the end of the domestic season. He has not been part of the national team’s training sessions and sat out the last two friendlies against Nicaragua and Jamaica. According to SABC Sport, Modiba has been receiving treatment for the hamstring problem and has not played in those matches. The defender’s return to training was described by Broos as a “special treatment” for the player, with the coach noting that “from tomorrow he will train with the group” and that “if nothing happens in the next days, Aubrey should be available for the game on Thursday.”
The team’s base camp for the tournament is located in Pachuca, Mexico, at the Universidad del Futbol. Broos praised the facilities and the support staff, saying that the accommodation and pitches met the team’s needs. He added that the high altitude of Pachuca, at about 2,300 meters, was an important factor in preparing for the opening match against Mexico, which will be played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. “We can’t ask for anything because before we ask, it’s already there,” Broos said, highlighting the readiness of the camp.
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup schedule begins on 11 June 2026 with the opener against Mexico. The group stage will see the South Africans play South Korea on 16 June and the Czech Republic on 21 June. The team’s return to the World Cup follows their 2010 hosting campaign and their previous qualifications in 1998 and 2002. The 2026 tournament is the first to feature 48 teams and will be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
With Modiba’s potential availability, Bafana Bafana will have a fuller defensive lineup for the opening match. The coach’s comments suggest that the player’s recovery is progressing, but no definitive statement has been made about his inclusion in the matchday squad. The team’s preparation in Pachuca, combined with the high‑altitude training, is intended to help the players adapt to the conditions they will face in Mexico City.
At present, the situation remains uncertain until the squad is announced for the 11 June fixture. The next few days will see the coaching staff finalize the lineup, and the team will continue to train in Pachuca. The outcome of Modiba’s recovery will be a key factor in the squad selection, but the broader focus remains on the tactical preparation for a challenging opener against the host nation.
Modiba, the left‑back for Mamelodi Sundowns, has been out of action since the end of the domestic season. He has not been part of the national team’s training sessions and sat out the last two friendlies against Nicaragua and Jamaica. According to SABC Sport, Modiba has been receiving treatment for the hamstring problem and has not played in those matches. The defender’s return to training was described by Broos as a “special treatment” for the player, with the coach noting that “from tomorrow he will train with the group” and that “if nothing happens in the next days, Aubrey should be available for the game on Thursday.”
The team’s base camp for the tournament is located in Pachuca, Mexico, at the Universidad del Futbol. Broos praised the facilities and the support staff, saying that the accommodation and pitches met the team’s needs. He added that the high altitude of Pachuca, at about 2,300 meters, was an important factor in preparing for the opening match against Mexico, which will be played at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. “We can’t ask for anything because before we ask, it’s already there,” Broos said, highlighting the readiness of the camp.
Bafana Bafana’s World Cup schedule begins on 11 June 2026 with the opener against Mexico. The group stage will see the South Africans play South Korea on 16 June and the Czech Republic on 21 June. The team’s return to the World Cup follows their 2010 hosting campaign and their previous qualifications in 1998 and 2002. The 2026 tournament is the first to feature 48 teams and will be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
With Modiba’s potential availability, Bafana Bafana will have a fuller defensive lineup for the opening match. The coach’s comments suggest that the player’s recovery is progressing, but no definitive statement has been made about his inclusion in the matchday squad. The team’s preparation in Pachuca, combined with the high‑altitude training, is intended to help the players adapt to the conditions they will face in Mexico City.
At present, the situation remains uncertain until the squad is announced for the 11 June fixture. The next few days will see the coaching staff finalize the lineup, and the team will continue to train in Pachuca. The outcome of Modiba’s recovery will be a key factor in the squad selection, but the broader focus remains on the tactical preparation for a challenging opener against the host nation.
