Pitso Mosimane Announces Bafana Bafana Squad for Afcon 2027 Qualifiers
Pitso Mosimane has wasted no time stamping his authority on Bafana Bafana.
Barely days after his appointment as South Africa’s head coach, Mosimane has announced a preliminary 35-man squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clashes against Guinea and Eritrea, as reported by TimesLIVE.
New Era, Familiar Pressure
The qualifiers double up as South Africa’s first assignment in the Pamoja tournament, jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Bafana open with a home tie against Guinea on 26 September, before heading away to face Eritrea.
Eritrea, however, will not host on home soil. With no suitable stadium in the country, their “home” match will be played in Egypt, adding a neutral twist to an already tricky fixture.
For Mosimane, it is a baptism of fire: a new job, a new cycle, and immediate competitive stakes.
Injury Blows to Broos Core
The new coach’s options are already stretched in key areas.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa have all missed out on the preliminary squad due to injury. All four formed part of the core group relied upon by former coach Hugo Broos during the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Their absence rips out a chunk of continuity just as South Africa look to build on that World Cup platform. It also opens the door for fresh faces to stake a claim.
Fresh Faces Step Into the Light
And Mosimane has not shied away from bold selections.
- Lebone Seema
- Tshepo Mashilane
- Jemran Dansin
- Yanela Mutuma
- Cassius Mailula
- Puso Dithejane
- Tashreeq Matthews
- Ronaldo van Niel
- Luther Singh
- Shandre Campbell
They are joined by Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Lebohang Maboe, both of whom missed out on the final World Cup squad but now get another shot at international involvement under new management.
It is a clear signal: reputations alone will not carry players into this new Bafana cycle.
Core Leaders Kept at the Heart
Amid the change, Mosimane has kept a strong spine.
Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams remains central to the plans, as does Sipho Chaine. At the back, Tapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba and Nkosinathi Sibisi are retained, providing defensive stability and familiarity.
In midfield, Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole stay on as key anchors, while Relebohile Mofokeng offers creativity and energy between the lines. Themba Zwane, one of the most experienced attacking figures in the squad, also keeps his place and will again be asked to guide the newer faces around him.
The mix is deliberate: trusted campaigners wrapped around a new generation desperate to prove they belong on this stage.
The names are on the table. The fixtures are set. Now the question is simple: can Mosimane turn this blend of old guard and rising talent into a team that not only qualifies for Afcon 2027, but goes there expecting to contend?
