Pitso Mosimane has announced his first Bafana Bafana squad since returning as head coach, naming a 30-man group for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea.
Bafana will begin their latest qualification campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium next week Saturday, before facing Eritrea. Mosimane’s squad will then be involved in a friendly against Egypt as part of the international window.
The squad features a mixture of experienced internationals, emerging talent and players based abroad as Mosimane begins his second stint in charge of the national team.
Captain Ronwen Williams headlines the goalkeeping options alongside Orlando Pirates’ Sipho Chaine and Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ricardo Goss.
Sundowns dominate the defensive selections, with Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien and Thapelo Morena included, while Pirates are represented by Kamogelo Sebelebele, Lebone Seema and Nkosinathi Sibisi. There is also an international presence in defence, with Samukele Kabini of Molde, Olwethu Makhanya of Rangers and Ime Okon of Hannover 96 selected.
Teboho Mokoena is among the midfielders named, alongside Lebogang Maboe, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas and Durban City’s Brooklyn Poggenpoel.
The attacking options include Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula and Tashreeq Matthews of Sundowns, while Pirates forwards Oswin Appollis and Yanela Mbuthuma also make the cut.
Relebohile Mofokeng, who has started his European adventure with Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, returns to the Bafana setup.
Other players based abroad include Puso Dithejane of Chicago Fire, Thapelo Maseko of FC Copenhagen, Luther Singh of AEL Limassol and Shandre Campbell of KV Kortrijk.
Veteran Themba Zwane has also been included as Mosimane looks to blend experience with younger players in his first squad since taking over.
The upcoming fixtures will provide Mosimane with his first competitive tests since his return, with Bafana looking to make a strong start in their pursuit of AFCON qualification. The friendly against Egypt will then give the coach another opportunity to assess his squad and begin shaping his preferred Bafana setup.
Bafana Bafana squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Goss, Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine
Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, Ime Okon, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Khulumani Ndamane, Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Olwethu Makhanya, Samukele Kabini, Thabang Matuludi, Thapelo Morena
Midfielders: Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Lebohang Maboe, Sphephelo Sithole, Teboho Mokoena
Forwards: Cassius Mailula, Iqraam Rayners, Luther Singh, Oswin Appollis, Puso Dithejane, Relebohile Mofokeng, Shandre Campbell, Tashreeq Matthews, Thapelo Maseko, Themba Zwane, Yanela Mbuthuma.