Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Mandla Masango has shared his thoughts on the absence of Amakhosi players in the Bafana Bafana squad set to face Kenya in back-to-back 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane announced his final squad for the upcoming qualifiers last week, notably omitting all Chiefs players from his selection.
South Africa will host Benni McCarthy’s Kenya in a double-header as the qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations set to be staged in East Africa intensifies.
Bafana will host the Harambee Stars at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, 13 November, aiming to maintain their 100% record in the qualifiers after opening the campaign with consecutive victories against Guinea and Eritrea. The 1996 AFCON champions will then travel to Nairobi for the return leg on 17 November.
The exclusion of Chiefs players from Mosimane’s squad has sparked widespread debate regarding the current quality within the Soweto giants’ squad.
‘IT’S NOT A NICE FEELING’ – MANDLA MASANGO WEIGHS IN ON EXCLUSION OF CHIEFS PLAYERS AT BAFANA
Weighing in on the situation, the retired attacker suggested that the omission serves as a crucial moment for Chiefs players to reflect and push for a return to the national setup.
“Obviously it’s not a nice feeling, but again it shows that the standard of football in South Africa is improving,” said Masango, who represented Bafana during Amakhosi’s glory years before their recent difficult spell.
“It doesn’t matter what team you are playing for, as long as you have a South African ID and you are eligible to play for Bafana, you will have an opportunity.
“I think Mduduzi [Shabalala] is slowly knocking on Bafana’s door, and Brandon Petersen was also doing well before the [2026 FIFA] World Cup. So I think they are not that far off; I think it’s just a matter of luck sometimes.”
During the previous FIFA international break, Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe earned a call-up to the national side, though the former Mamelodi Sundowns player was ultimately forced to withdraw due to injury.
The Glamour Boys also had defender Bradley Cross representing Bafana Bafana at the World Cup in North America just a few months ago.
And with Chiefs gunning for the Carling Knockout Cup title this season after making it to the semi-finals, several players will be looking to impress and earn call-ups in Mosimane’s team.
The Naturena-based side will face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling semis after defeating Siwelele FC in the quarter-finals at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane this past weekend.
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