Sports Correspondent
New Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane (pictured) has named a 35-man preliminary squad for South Africa’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, with several new faces included in his first selection since returning to the national team.
Mosimane, who was appointed earlier this week, has largely retained the core of the squad that represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while handing opportunities to a number of players who were not part of Hugo Broos’ final squad.
South Africa will host Guinea on September 26 before travelling to Egypt to face Eritrea on September 30. Bafana will then play Egypt in an international friendly in Cairo on October 4. Eritrea are hosting their qualifier at a neutral venue because they do not have a suitable stadium.
Among the notable inclusions are Orlando Pirates youngsters Cemran Dansin and Yanela Mbuthuma, Golden Arrows forward Ronaldo van Neel, Mamelodi Sundowns forward Cassius Mailula and Cyprus-based striker Luther Singh.
Chicago Fire winger Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Tshepang Moremi, Lebone Seema and Tshepo Mashiloane are also among the players given an opportunity by Mosimane.
Mosimane has also recalled experienced midfielder Lebohang Maboe and included Brooklyn Poggenpoel, who were both left out of South Africa’s final World Cup squad.
Several regulars are missing because of injuries, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa.
Full Bafana Bafana squad
Goalkeepers
- Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates
- Ricardo Goss – Mamelodi Sundowns
Defenders
- Aubrey Modiba – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Samukele Kabini – Molde FK
- Fawaaz Basadien – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Kamogelo Sebelebele – Orlando Pirates
- Thapelo Morena – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Thabang Matuludi – Polokwane City
- Olwethu Makhanya – Rangers
- Khululani Ndamane – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Ime Okon – Hannover 96
- Lebone Seema – Orlando Pirates
- Nkosinathi Sibisi – Orlando Pirates
- Tshepo Mashiloane – Sekhukhune United
Midfielders
- Teboho Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Lebohang Maboe – Kaizer Chiefs
- Cemran Dansin – Orlando Pirates
- Sphephelo Sithole – CD Tondela
- Bathusi Aubaas – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Brooklyn Poggenpoel – Durban City
Forwards
- Iqraam Rayners – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Yanela Mbuthuma – Orlando Pirates
- Lyle Foster – Houston Dynamo
- Cassius Mailula – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Oswin Appollis – Orlando Pirates
- Puso Dithejane – Chicago Fire
- Tashreeq Matthews – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Relebohile Mofokeng – Royale Union Saint-Gilloise
- Themba Zwane – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Ronaldo van Neel – Golden Arrows
- Thapelo Maseko – FC Copenhagen
- Tshepang Moremi – Orlando Pirates
- Luther Singh – AEL Limassol
- Shandre Campbell – KV Kortrijk
