Mosimane signals Bafana Bafana evolution with bold first squad

Pitso Mosimane has wasted no time in reshaping Bafana Bafana, with his first preliminary squad combining the core of South Africa’s 2026 World Cup team with a number of new faces, recalls and players previously overlooked.

The 35-man squad retains much of the group assembled by Hugo Broos, who guided Bafana Bafana to the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup. That continuity is understandable, but Mosimane’s selections also make clear that past loyalties will not guarantee anyone a place in his team.

Puso Dithejane, Shandre Campbell, Cemran Dansin, Lebone Seema and Ronaldo van Neel are among those who give the squad a noticeably different look.

Luther Singh has returned to the international picture after an extended absence, while Lebohang Maboe and Cassius Mailula have also been brought back into consideration.

Tashreeq Matthews is another notable inclusion, as is Yanela Mbuthuma. Mbuthuma’s selection is particularly eye-catching given the criticism he has faced at Orlando Pirates over his finishing.

His call-up nevertheless offers an early insight into Mosimane’s approach. The new coach appears determined to judge players for himself rather than simply preserve every decision made by Broos because of the team’s success at the World Cup.

That does not mean Mosimane intends to discard the foundations already in place. With AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea scheduled for 26 and 30 September respectively, Bafana Bafana have little room for unnecessary disruption.

Those matches are competitive fixtures, not glorified friendlies, and South Africa need results. Mosimane has therefore been handed limited time in which to assess alternatives and establish his methods.

The balance between continuity and change will be central to his early tenure. The established players remain in the squad, but younger footballers and those returning to the international fold are now competing for their positions.

That competition could be significant for a national side which has, at times, appeared difficult for outsiders to break into. Once a player became part of the regular group, opportunities for others to challenge the hierarchy were not always easy to find.

Mosimane has immediately widened that contest. The challenge now is to ensure that the changes produce a better team rather than simply a larger pool of players.

Selecting different names is the straightforward part of taking charge. Choosing the right combinations, putting the appropriate players on the pitch and improving Bafana Bafana’s performances will provide the real test.

The new coach would be unwise to dismantle the side that reached the World Cup knockout stages. Equally, he would be taking a risk if he assumed that team could not be strengthened.

The preliminary squad suggests Mosimane recognises that distinction. He has preserved enough of Broos’ World Cup group to maintain stability, while making sufficient changes to prevent the previous pecking order from becoming automatic.

Bafana Bafana do not appear to be heading for another wholesale rebuild. Instead, Mosimane’s first selections point towards a gradual evolution, with established players required to maintain their standards and emerging or returning players given a genuine opportunity.

The early signs are that the new coach wants to build on what already exists while making the competition for places far more open.