Pitso Mosimane has named his first official Bafana Bafana squad since returning to the hot seat, trimming his 35-man preliminary list ahead of crucial 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea.
South Africa will host Guinea in their opening match of Group D in the AFCON qualifiers on Saturday, 26 September 2026 at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto.
They will then travel to North Africa to face Eritrea away in the second group match on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. Mosimane and his side will wrap up the FIFA international break with an international friendly match against Egypt in Cairo on 4 October 2026.
SOME OF THE CHANGES IN THE BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD FOR AFCON QUALIFIERS
Mosimane, who took over from Hugo Broos following the completion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has retained the majority of the players who represented the country at the global tournament in North America.
One of the most notable absentees is striker Lyle Foster, who has just moved to MLS side Houston Dynamo. Foster has been struggling with form and was dropped by Broos in the last two matches at the World Cup. Sundowns winger Tashreeq Matthews and Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma have made the cut.
THE FINAL SQUAD NAMED BY PITSO MOSIMANE TO FACE GUINEA, ERITREA AND EGYPT
GOALKEEPERS:
Ronwen Williams and Ricardo Goss [all Mamelodi Sundowns], Sipho Chaine [Orlando Pirates].
DEFENDERS:
Ime Okon [Hannover 96], Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Kamogelo Sebelebele [all Orlando Pirates], Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane [all Mamelodi Sundowns], Olwethu Makhanya [Rangers], Samukele Kabini [Molde FK
MIDFIELDERS:
Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas [all Mamelodi Sundowns], Lebohang Maboe [Kaizer Chiefs], Sphephelo Sithole [CD Tondela], Brooklyn Poggenpoel [Durban City].
FORWARDS:
Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula, Tashreeq Matthews, Themba Zwane [all Mamelodi Sundowns], Yanela Mbuthuma, Oswin Appollis [all Orlando Pirates], Puso Dithejane, Relebohile Mofokeng [Royale Union Saint-Gilloise], Thapelo Maseko [Copenhagen], Luther Singh [AEL Limassol], Shandre Campbell [Kortrijk].
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