Pitso Mosimane Names Final Bafana Bafana Squad - Big Calls For Kenya Double Header

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Ralph Staniforth 1 hour ago

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Bafana Bafana have named a 27-man squad for AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Kenya.
Mbokazi and Mbatha return from injury; Ndlovu is a new inclusion.
South Africa top Group D after two wins, with only one team qualifying.

Pitso Mosimane has announced his final Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming back-to-back 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Kenya (Getty Images).

Pitso Mosimane has announced his final Bafana Bafana squad for the upcoming back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Kenya.

The Bafana head coach has trimmed his initial 38-man preliminary squad to 27 players as South Africa prepare for two important encounters against Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars.

South Africa will welcome Kenya to Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Friday, 13 November 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 SAST.

The two sides will then meet again in Nairobi on Tuesday, 17 November, as Mosimane looks to maintain Bafana’s perfect start to their qualifying campaign.

Mbokazi and Mbatha Return After Injuries

One of the biggest talking points from Mosimane’s selection is the return of Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Thalente Mbatha. Both players missed the previous international camp through injury but have returned to contention.

Mamelodi Sundowns youngster Siyanda Ndlovu is another notable inclusion, having earned his place despite not featuring in Mosimane’s original preliminary squad. He has excelled in recent weeks at club level and takes the place of the injured Thapelo Maseko.

Meanwhile, experienced midfielder Themba Zwane, Kaizer Chiefs' Lebohang Maboe and Orlando Pirates defender Nkosinathi Sibisi are among the notable names left out.

Mosimane has also recalled Houston Dynamo striker Lyle Foster, while Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma and Evidence Makgopa were left out.

Bafana Look to Maintain Perfect Start

Bafana head into the Kenya double-header in a strong position after winning their opening two Group D qualifying matches.

Mosimane's charges began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Guinea at home before recording an emphatic 5-0 win against Eritrea.

Those results leave South Africa top of Group D with six points, three ahead of Guinea, while Kenya and Eritrea have one point apiece.

With Kenya among the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON, only one team from Group D will qualify for the tournament, making the upcoming double-header particularly important for Bafana.

Mosimane will therefore be hoping his final selection can deliver two positive results and strengthen South Africa's position at the top of the group.

Bafana Bafana Final Squad in Full

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (Molde, Norway), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers, Scotland), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Lebone Seema (Orlando Pirates), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA).

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yaya Sithole (Tondela, Portugal), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates).

Forwards: Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tashreeq Matthews (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Lyle Foster (Houston Dynamo, USA), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire, USA), Siyanda Ndlovu (Mamelodi Sundowns).

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.