Pitso Mosimane must use AFCON qualifiers to solve Bafana's striker and centre-back problems

Of all the selection challenges South Africa head coach Pitso Mosimane faces, two -- striker and centre-back -- are particularly difficult, and the upcoming international break gives him a chance to test solutions.

South Africa will play Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers at home to Guinea (Sep. 26) and away to Eritrea (Sep. 30) before visiting Egypt in a Cairo friendly (Oct. 4).

Mosimane faces a wealth of options for his centre-back pairing, and while Chicago Fire FC's Mbekezeli Mbokazi is a clear frontrunner to start again when back from injury, the international break could help the new head coach decide who to start alongside him.

At striker, Mosimane faces the opposite problem: nobody has made a clear and convincing case to start upfront regularly.

Lyle Foster is out of the squad and reportedly still working his way back to full fitness after his loan move to Houston Dynamo from Burnley.

Orlando Pirates' Evidence Makgopa has had his own injury struggles and was also left out. Iqraam Rayners was the only striker retained in the squad from those who went to the FIFA World Cup, but has been short of minutes recently.

AEL Limassol's Luther Singh, who has been recalled, can play in a variety of positions, but is not an out-and-out striker. That leaves Orlando Pirates' Yanela Mbuthuma as the favourite to start upfront, but his goalscoring record has not been consistent despite a strong start to this season.

"Well, I don't know what other people are saying and I don't know why people brand him as an enemy," Mosimane said at the squad announcement press conference in response to a journalist who quizzed him on Mbuthuma's critics.

"I think he's a national team player. He scores goals for Orlando Pirates. I think you've seen him scoring a few goals in Orlando Stadium.

"And yes, maybe he's not scoring as much as you want, but he does score and he's got a physical presence also and he's hungry."

Mbuthuma's work rate has been important for Abdeslam Ouaddou's high-octane pressing strategy. Still, the 24-year-old has work to do if he is to persuade the nation that he is the answer to a long-running problem upfront.

At centre-back, Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya -- both 22 -- are likely to be afforded opportunities in this international window to demonstrate why they should start regularly for Bafana. Hannover 96's Okon got the nod at the World Cup, but Makhanya has been in tremendous form at club level for Scottish giants Rangers.

One option for Mosimane when Mbokazi returns is to play with three centre-backs. Alternatively, he could shift Makhanya to right-back - but then, there is Khuliso Mudau to contend with when he is fit again. He could try Mbekezeli Mbokazi in midfield, but that would be a risk to take with Bafana's most prolific centre-back.

South Africa have tremendous depth in the heart of their defence even if they find a way to fit the currently injured Mbokazi alongside Okon and Makhanya in future lineups.

Youngsters Khulumani Ndamane (22) and Lebone Seema (23) are in the current squad alongside the experienced Nkosinathi Sibisi (30).

The similarly experienced Siyabonga Ngezana, Thabo Moloisane, Keanu Cupido and Grant Kekana -- none of whom are in the current squad -- cannot be far from Mosimane's radar.

Tylon Smith (21) and Malibongwe Khoza (22) will likely be monitored closely by the Bafana technical team, while Rushwin Dortley (24) could still have a future with the national team when he returns from injury, particularly given the shortage of left-footed options to challenge Mbokazi.

While Bafana Bafana have an abundance of ball-playing centre-backs, they have often struggled to match the physicality of opponents, particularly from set pieces. Okon and Makhanya have more to offer than most of South Africa's options in that department, while also being comfortable on the ball.

Most coaches across Africa would envy Mosimane's selection dilemma in the heart of his defence, but at the top end of the pitch, the challenge is far greater - with only nine months for Mosimane to find a solution before next year's AFCON in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Khulumani Ndamane, Ime Okon, Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Lebohang Maboe, Sphephelo 'Yaya' Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel

Forwards: Iqraam Rayners, Yanela Mbuthuma, Cassius Mailula, Oswin Appollis, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko, Luther Singh, Shandre Campbell