Orlando Stadium to host Mosimane’s first Bafana Bafana qualifier

The South African Football Association has confirmed that Orlando Stadium will stage Bafana Bafana’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea on Saturday, 26 September 2026.

The match will be Pitso Mosimane’s first in charge of South Africa since he was appointed as the successor to Hugo Broos. It will also begin his second spell at the helm of the national team, with his first competitive fixture back in the role taking place on home soil.

SAFA has urged supporters to attend in large numbers as Mosimane begins his latest tenure with Bafana Bafana.

“We encourage families and fans to come in their numbers to support the team as we begin this new era under coach Pitso Mosimane,” SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said.

South Africa’s second Group D qualifier will follow just four days later, when Mosimane’s squad travels to Cairo to face Eritrea at Al-Salam Stadium on Wednesday, 30 September.

The team will remain in Egypt after that match for an international friendly against the hosts at Cairo International Stadium on 4 October. The fixture will give Mosimane the chance to evaluate his players against high-calibre opposition during the same international window.

Ramoreboli added to Mosimane’s staff

SAFA is continuing to finalise Mosimane’s technical team ahead of the AFCON qualifying campaign. The association confirmed on Tuesday that Morena Ramoreboli would become Mosimane’s assistant coach.

The appointment brings Ramoreboli’s time as head coach of the Botswana national team to an end. He has built experience in both domestic and international football, including spells with Jwaneng Galaxy and Botswana.

Ramoreboli has also previously worked with Bafana Bafana and led South Africa to the 2021 COSAFA Cup title.

Mosimane announced a preliminary squad for the two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last week. The final selection is expected to be released in the coming days as preparations for the meeting with Guinea gather pace.

The opening match against Guinea will therefore carry significance beyond the result, marking the start of a new phase for the national team under a familiar figure. Orlando Stadium will provide the setting for Mosimane’s return to competitive management of Bafana Bafana, while the subsequent trip to Egypt will quickly test the team’s progress against Eritrea and, in a friendly, the host nation.

With the venue now confirmed and the squad announcement approaching, attention turns to the final preparations for 26 September and Mosimane’s first assignment since replacing Broos.