Embarrassing errors by Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner in a 3-1 South African Premiership loss to Stellenbosch on Friday may have dashed his hopes of going to the 2026 World Cup.
Careless clearances from the 28-year-old on a rain-soaked Cape Town pitch gifted goals to Genino Palace and Chumani Butsaka, and he was later replaced by Zambian international Toaster Nsabata.
"I took Renaldo off to protect him. I believe his confidence was low," said Sekhukhune caretaker coach Paulus Masehe, who this week replaced sacked Eric Tinkler.
Leaner appeared unhappy with the decision to substitute him. He ignored the coach and his teammates and headed to the changeroom instead of the team dugout.
He won a third cap for South Africa as a halftime substitute in a 2-1 World Cup warm-up loss to Panama in Cape Town last month.
Ronwen Williams from Mamelodi Sundowns captains the national team and is the likely first choice ahead of World Cup group A matches against co-hosts Mexico, the Czech Republic and South Korea.
The call-up of Leaner pitted him against Sipho Chaine of Orlando Pirates and Ricardo Goss of Siwelele for the other two goalkeeper places.
But his poor performance against Stellenbosch is a setback, and the return after appendix surgery of in-form Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper Brandon Petersen will intensify competition for places.
Defeat for Sekhukhune seriously affects their hopes of finishing third and qualifying for the Caf Confederation Cup. They remain fifth, seven points behind third-placed Kaizer Chiefs.