Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Lyle Foster recalled for South Africa’s Kenya qualifiers

Mbekezeli Mbokazi has returned to the Bafana Bafana squad after recovering from injury, while Lyle Foster is also back in contention for South Africa’s crucial 2027 Afcon qualifiers against Kenya.

The pair are among the notable inclusions in coach Pitso Mosimane’s 38-man preliminary squad for next month’s back-to-back fixtures against the Harambee Stars, who are co-hosts of the tournament.

Mbokazi missed South Africa’s opening two Group D matches – a 2-1 victory over Guinea and a 5-0 win against Eritrea – because of injury. Those results lifted Bafana Bafana to the top of the group.

The defender is one of several changes to the backline, with goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa and Nkosikhona Radebe also added to the preliminary squad.

Aden McCarthy has been included after making a strong start to life with Azerbaijani club Sabah FK. He recently scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 2-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund.

There are also changes in midfield, where Thalente Mbatha returns after missing the previous camp through injury. Luke Le Roux and Lebohang Maboe have also been called up, with Maboe earning another chance after being forced to withdraw early from the last squad because of injury.

Mosimane has retained a familiar group of attacking options, selecting Devin Titus, Foster, Boitumelo Radiopane and Nqaba Xulu.

Foster was left out of the previous camp because of limited playing time, but has since scored his first goal for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.

South Africa will face Kenya at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, November 13, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm. The return fixture will take place in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 17.

Bafana Bafana currently lead Group D after their winning start, and taking maximum points from both matches would strengthen their position in the race to qualify for the continental tournament.

The 2027 Afcon is scheduled to be co-hosted across the Pamoja region by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania next year.

Mosimane is expected to announce his final squad early next month.