Pitso Mosimane Names Bafana Bafana Squad - Six Missing From World Cup

John Eastwood

Editor

Last updated: 2 hours ago

John Eastwood 2 hours ago

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Pitso Mosimane names his first 35-man provisional squad for AFCON qualifiers.
Mix of World Cup veterans, new faces, and returning players included.
South Africa to play Guinea (home) and Eritrea (away in Egypt) in September.

New South Africa head coach Pitso Mosimane has named a 35-man provisional squad for the upcoming FIFA break (Getty Images).

Mosimane Names Provisional Bafana Bafana Squad

New Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has named his first 35-man provisional squad since returning to the national team, with a mixture of established internationals, returning players and several new faces included for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Mosimane Names Provisional Bafana Bafana Squad
New Faces
Who Do South Africa Play?
Squad in Full

The new coach has largely retained the core of the squad that represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but there are several notable changes. Injuries have ruled out a number of players who featured prominently under Hugo Broos, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa. Jayden Adams tragically passed away.

New Faces

Among the most notable inclusions are several players who were either overlooked for the World Cup or have earned their first opportunity at senior international level. Lebone Seema, Tshepo Mashiloane, Cemran Dansin, Yanela Mbuthuma, Puso Dithejane and Ronaldo Van Neel are among the new faces in the squad. Cassius Mailula and Luther Singh have also returned to the national-team picture.

Lebohang Maboe and Brooklyn Poggenpoel are also back in contention after missing out on the final World Cup squad. Maboe's inclusion is particularly noteworthy given his return to the Bafana setup under Mosimane, while Poggenpoel provides another midfield option.

The attack has more options after the inclusion of Mailula, Dithejane, Matthews, Campbell and Van Neel.

The squad announcement represents the first indication of how Mosimane intends to build on the foundation left by Broos. With limited preparation time before the qualifiers, the coach has opted against making wholesale changes while using the opportunity to introduce several players who could become important parts of the national team in the future.

Who Do South Africa Play?

Pitso Mosimane, who was appointed earlier this week following Hugo Broos' departure, will begin his second permanent spell in charge of Bafana with two important qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea.

South Africa will host Guinea on 26 September before travelling to face Eritrea on 30 September, with the Eritrean fixture being played in Egypt.

Bafana will then face Egypt in an international friendly on 4 October.

Squad in Full

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), Khulumani 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), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

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), Ronaldo Van Neel (Golden Arrows), Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol), Shandre Campbell (KV Kortrijk)

Graduated from the University of Portsmouth in 2008 with a BA in English Literature before completing MA in Journalism. Began his career as a sports journalist in London before moving to the Middle East to work as a sports editor for national media companies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Favourite Sports: Tennis, Boxing, Golf.