Newly appointed Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has outlined his squad selection strategy ahead of the upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, which gets underway later this month.
Mosimane was officially unveiled at SAFA House on Tuesday morning as he returns to lead South Africa’s senior men’s national team for his second stint at the helm.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician takes over the Bafana hot seat, succeeding Hugo Broos, who had been in charge of the team since 2021.
Mosimane has been tasked with maintaining Bafana’s upward trajectory, following their rise into one of the most competitive sides on the African continent in recent years.
Under Broos, South Africa qualified for back-to-back AFCON tournaments, claiming a bronze medal at the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast before making history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by reaching the knockout stage for the very first time.
PITSO MOSIMANE OUTLINES BAFANA SELECTION STRATEGY
Addressing the media for the first time since his appointment, the veteran mentor indicated that he will not be making wholesale changes to the core squad, though he acknowledged that several players deserve an opportunity.
“I’m not carrying the biggest broom to sweep here. We have a very good foundation from the team that went to the World Cup,” Mosimane explained. “We currently have four or five major injuries to key players who won’t be available. I think you already know the names of those who are ruled out. Naturally, we need to replace them, but it’s crucial to understand that time is not on our side.
“While replacing those injured players, we are also keeping a close eye on a few emerging talents who are doing exceptionally well abroad. We know who they are, and we are looking into them, but our immediate focus remains the two upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
“Following those games, we will have a friendly match where we can offer opportunities to players who haven’t had much game time. Players like [Samukelo] Kabini haven’t really been given a chance yet, so we need to assess them.”
MOSIMANE PROMISES OPPORTUNITIES FOR OVERSEAS STARS
He added: “There are players who were part of the World Cup squad but didn’t get minutes. We obviously have a core starting unit that you and I both know must lead us through these AFCON qualifiers, but as we progress, we will open the door for others.
“Fortunately, having that friendly match right after the two qualifiers allows us to test players who have been performing well internationally and competing at a high level. That is the immediate plan.”
Pitso Mosimane will kick off his second reign as Bafana Bafana head coach with an AFCON qualifier against Guinea on 23 September 2026, before taking on Eritrea on 27 September.
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