Mosimane faces same Kaizer Chiefs selection question as Broos

Pitso Mosimane will have to decide whether any Kaizer Chiefs players have done enough to earn a place in his first Bafana Bafana squad, with the club facing a familiar wait ahead of the next international window.

The upcoming FIFA dates run from 21 September to 6 October. Bafana Bafana will begin that period with two Group D matches in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, playing Guinea on 23 September and Eritrea on 27 September.

South Africa will then face Egypt in Cairo on 4 October.

As happened during Hugo Broos’ time in charge, Kaizer Chiefs may again be left without a player in the national squad. A number of the club’s leading candidates are either injured, short of match fitness or competing with stronger options in their positions.

Brandon Petersen has not made the strongest start to the new season, leaving him behind Ronwen Williams and Sipho Chaine in the goalkeeping pecking order.

Renaldo Leaner and Bruce Bvuma have both previously been called up by the senior national team, but neither has played so far this season, which could count against their chances of selection.

The situation is similarly uncertain in defence. Thabiso Monyane is injured and would otherwise have had an opportunity, while Khuliso Mudau is also out of action. Thabang Matuludi has not yet featured for Polokwane City because of an unresolved transfer situation.

Rushwin Dortley is nearing the end of a lengthy injury absence, but he is likely to need regular playing time before he can return to consideration.

Thabo Moloisane is attempting to force his way into Mosimane’s plans, while Bradley Cross remains unavailable. Cross, the only Kaizer Chiefs player to have attended the World Cup, has not played this season because of injury.

Siphesihle Ndlovu has shown enough form to put himself forward, although he has not established himself as a regular international player. His two Bafana Bafana appearances came eight years ago.

Lebohang Maboe could also be considered for a return as he approaches his 32nd birthday. The midfielder has not played for the national team for eight years.

“For any one of us getting to the national team will be a reflection of the hard work that we have put in as a team.

“Obviously, I want to represent the national team, but that will only come if we win games and I also perform well and be consistent as a team,” says Maboe speaking to the media.

The injury list also affects the attacking options available to Mosimane. Langelihle Phili and Khanyisa Mayo are both sidelined, leaving Mduduzi Shabalala, Luke Baartman and Mfundo Vilakazi as the most obvious Kaizer Chiefs possibilities based on their ages and current availability.

Shabalala is 22, while Baartman and Vilakazi are both 20.

Mosimane’s first selection will therefore provide an early indication of whether he is prepared to look beyond the club’s current difficulties and reward individual performances, or whether Kaizer Chiefs will again have no representative in the Bafana Bafana squad.

The selection comes amid wider domestic uncertainty, with the return of a FIFA registration ban also featuring in recent South African football coverage. A separate focus has been placed on the race involving Rayners for a place among the PSL’s all-time leading scorers.

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images