Mosimane set to hand Campbell and Dithejane Bafana chances against Egypt

South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane is expected to make wholesale changes for the friendly against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium on Saturday at 20:00, with Shandre Campbell and Puso Dithejane among the players likely to start.

The pair were unused substitutes during Bafana Bafana’s recent 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying victories over Guinea and Eritrea, as Mosimane selected his strongest available line-ups. Their club form has now earned Campbell, who plays for Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk, and Dithejane, of MLS club Chicago Fire, an opportunity against the Pharaohs.

The coach included both in the squad to strengthen his options ahead of next year’s Afcon in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, while also looking beyond that tournament.

Campbell and Dithejane are part of a group of younger players expected to form the backbone of the national team after the continental tournament. That group also includes Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya, Lebone Seema, Khulumane Ndamane, Samukele Kabini, Relebohile Mofokeng and Thapelo Maseko.

Nkosinathi Sibisi, Fawaaz Basadien, Khulumani Ndamane, Thabang Matuludi, Thapelo Morena, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Tashreeq Matthews, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, Luther Singh and Cassius Mailula are also expected to feature.

Central defender Okon said the squad was eager to face one of Africa’s leading sides and welcomed Bafana’s rise into the top 50 of the Fifa rankings.

“Egypt is one of the biggest teams in Africa, and as a player you always want to challenge yourself against the best teams and players,” he said.

“We are excited to play against them and show what we are all about. We are headed in the right direction. We are doing well, the junior national teams are also doing well, and we can only up [our game] from here.

“It is motivating to see the team moving a few places up on the rankings. When we look at the teams that are around us, it makes us realise that we can go higher from here and everything is possible.”

Although Bafana have been in camp for an extended period, Okon said their winning run had helped the players adapt.

“Yes, the camp has been long but the group has adjusted because we know each other very well. The fact that we are winning matches makes it easier.”

Club concerns before MTN8 final

Mosimane’s decision to rest players who featured heavily against Guinea and Eritrea could also help their clubs before Saturday’s MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Players are due back in South Africa by Tuesday, four days before the final. Pirates manager Abdeslam Ouaddou would welcome Oswin Appollis and Kamogelo Sebelebele being left out, while he may want Sipho Chaine, Sibisi, Seema and Mbuthuma to gain match fitness.

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso faces greater uncertainty after Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas suffered injuries. Losing the trio after the long journey home would be a major blow, although Cardoso would probably be content for Morena, Basadien, Matthews and Mailula to play.

Mbokazi and Evidence Makgopa could also return to contention for Bafana’s back-to-back Afcon qualifiers against Kenya in November if fit.

Mosimane has also been monitoring the junior sides. Amajita won the Cosafa U20 Championships in Mozambique last weekend, while the U23 team began preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games with a comeback 3-1 victory over Algeria at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

“We saw the U23s, we watched the game, and we are happy with what we saw; we are happy with the prospects,” said Mosimane.