Maboe hopes Chiefs form can earn Bafana return under Mosimane

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe says Pitso Mosimane’s detailed knowledge of South African football could help him succeed after returning as Bafana Bafana head coach.

Maboe previously worked with Mosimane at Mamelodi Sundowns, where the coach signed him from Maritzburg United, now known as Durban City. The midfielder believes that familiarity with the domestic game and its players will give Mosimane an advantage in his new role.

“Congratulations to coach Pitso, I’m very happy for him. I think he is going to do well in the national team setup because he knows this league and its players so well.”

Mosimane is due to prepare his preliminary squad for South Africa’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Guinea-Conakry and Eritrea. Bafana Bafana also have a confirmed international friendly against Egypt.

Maboe was part of the preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup and could again be considered by Mosimane if he continues to perform strongly for Kaizer Chiefs.

The 31-year-old spent four seasons playing under Mosimane at Mamelodi Sundowns and won the league title in every one of those campaigns. During that time, he also developed the positional flexibility that has become one of the defining features of his game.

Mosimane used Maboe in a number of roles, including as a number 10 and a wing-back. Since joining Kaizer Chiefs, however, he has mainly been deployed as a number eight or number six by manager Fernando Da Cruz.

Maboe’s last appearance for Bafana Bafana came in 2021, during Broos’ first official match in charge. He has made 17 international appearances and will now hope that a sustained run of form at club level can lead to another opportunity with the national team.

His ambition is not limited to securing a recall. Maboe also wants to improve his attacking contribution during the current season, having recently ended a lengthy wait for a goal.

He scored from the penalty spot in Kaizer Chiefs’ 2-2 draw with Richards Bay last week. That strike brought an end to a five-year period without a goal.

Maboe’s previous goal had come on 26 May 2021, when he scored in Mamelodi Sundowns’ 3-1 victory over the now-defunct SuperSport United.

Although his ability to operate in different positions remains a major strength, Maboe is aiming to become more influential in the final third as he seeks to establish himself as an important player under Da Cruz.

Mosimane’s return to the Bafana Bafana job could provide an additional incentive. Strong performances for Kaizer Chiefs would give Maboe a possible route back into the national-team setup, while also allowing him to work again under the manager who helped shape his tactical versatility at Mamelodi Sundowns.