Pitso Mosimane Names Provisional Bafana Bafana Squad - 38 Names Announced for Kenya AFCON Qualifiers

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Ralph Staniforth 1 hour ago

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Pitso Mosimane has announced a 38-man preliminary squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Kenya.
The squad includes several new faces, injury returns, and standout performers from club football.
South Africa will face Kenya twice in November, aiming to secure a strong position in Group D.

Pitso Mosimane has a wealth of options at his disposal in every department (Getty Images).

Pitso Mosimane has named a 38-man preliminary squad for Bafana Bafana’s upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya.
New Faces
Who Do South Africa Play?
Squad in Full

South Africa will face Kenya twice in November, with the first match taking place at Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg on 13 November before Bafana travel to Nairobi for the return fixture on 17 November.

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has selected a 38-man preliminary squad as South Africa prepare for two important AFCON qualifiers against Kenya.

New Faces

The experienced coach has included Golden Arrows' Thakasani Mbanjwa as a fourth goalkeeper, although he is unlikely to make the final squad.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is back in the picture and Aden McCarthy makes the cut after impressing in the UEFA Champions League.

Kamogelo Sebelebele is injured, so there is a deserved call-up for Nkosikhona Radebe of AmaZulu in the right back role.

The midfield has been boosted by a return to fitness for Thalente Mbatha, whilst Luke Le Roux is called up after a good start to life in Belgium.

In the attacking areas, Yanela Mbuthuma is left out but Lyle Foster returns. Nqaba Xulu from Richards Bay is rewarded for some strong form and Buitumelo Radiopane is selected after three goals in his last four matches for Orlando Pirates.

Who Do South Africa Play?

South Africa will face Kenya in back-to-back Group D qualifiers during the November international window.

Bafana host Kenya on Friday, 13 November 2026, at Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00.

The teams will meet again on Tuesday, 17 November, when South Africa travel to Nairobi for the return fixture. The stadium for the away match has yet to be confirmed.

Kenya are coached by former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy, adding extra interest to the double-header as he faces his home country.

South Africa began their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea before recording a 5-0 win against Eritrea. The two matches against Kenya will be important as Mosimane’s side look to strengthen their position in Group D and move closer to qualification for AFCON 2027.

Squad in Full

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thakasani Mbanjwa (Golden Arrows)

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers FC), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Lebone Seema (Orlando Pirates), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire), Aden McCarthy (Sabah FK), Nkosikhona Radebe (AmaZulu)

Midfielders: Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Luke Le Roux (Cercle Brugge)

Forwards: Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lyle Foster (Houston Dynamo), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tashreeq Matthews (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol), Devin Titus (Maghreb Fès), Nqaba Xulu (Richards Bay), Boitumelo Radiopane (Orlando Pirates), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire).

Ralph Staniforth is a South African sports journalist, editor and betting writer who has worked in sports media since 2012.

With a background in Sports Science, he has covered a wide range of sports and interviewed leading players and coaches across South African rugby, cricket and football.

His sports betting work covers both South African and international markets, combining his knowledge of sport with extensive experience analysing fixtures, teams, form and betting markets.

Ralph specialises in football and rugby, while also covering cricket, tennis and golf. His work includes match previews, betting tips, betting guides and broader analysis of the sports betting industry.

You can find more from Ralph at Muckrack and LinkedIn.