Bafana Bafana face a battle beyond the pitch as club rivalries grow

Bafana Bafana’s biggest challenge may not come from Morocco, Senegal or any other African opponent, but from persuading South African supporters to put club loyalties aside when backing the national team.

South Africa can defeat Guinea, qualify for major tournaments and deliver another memorable World Cup campaign. Yet the divisive influence of the country’s biggest club rivalries continues to follow Bafana Bafana, with supporters of Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns often viewing the national side through the same lines of loyalty.

The issue emerged as soon as Pitso Mosimane announced his first squad.

Of the 30 players selected for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers, 13 came from Mamelodi Sundowns and six represented Orlando Pirates. The balance quickly became a subject of debate, with some fans questioning whether the selections were based purely on form or influenced by Mosimane’s long association with Sundowns.

Bafana Bafana’s 2-1 victory over Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena did little to settle the argument. Even a positive result was drawn into the wider discussion about whether club rivalries are shaping perceptions of the national team.

South African football has, in effect, allowed Bafana Bafana to become an extension of the PSL contest.

When a Sundowns player is chosen ahead of someone from Pirates, supporters can interpret it as evidence of favouritism. If a Kaizer Chiefs player is omitted, questions are raised about whether the club is being ignored. A manager’s past connections with one of the country’s leading clubs can also lead every selection to be judged through that relationship.

That is not solely a problem created by Mosimane. It reflects a wider football culture.

The reaction to the 13 Sundowns players showed how strongly club identity has entered conversations about the national team.

There is also an uncomfortable contradiction. South Africa has repeatedly asked why Bafana Bafana cannot reproduce internationally the qualities shown by the country’s strongest clubs. But when a coach selects a large group from one of those teams, supporters question whether loyalty to the club has influenced his decisions.

Scrutiny of a national-team manager is legitimate, and every selection should be open to examination. However, the same standard must apply regardless of the player’s club badge.

A player’s value to Bafana Bafana should not rise or fall in the eyes of supporters simply because he wears a different shirt at club level.

The national team belongs to everyone. Pirates supporters should be able to celebrate when a Sundowns player scores for Bafana Bafana, while Chiefs fans should be able to applaud a Pirates player and Sundowns supporters recognise a decisive contribution from a Kaizer Chiefs player.

That may appear straightforward, but South African football continues to show how difficult it can be.

For Bafana Bafana, the greatest challenge could be encouraging supporters to back South Africa before identifying with the club shirt worn by each player.