Mosimane keeps injured Williams and Mokoena in Bafana Bafana squad

Pitso Mosimane says he will wait until the last possible moment before deciding whether to leave out injured Mamelodi Sundowns pair Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena for Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Kenya.

The two players have missed recent club matches while recovering, but both were named in Mosimane’s 27-man squad. The coach said he would only rule them out if Sundowns’ medical team confirms they are unavailable.

Sundowns face USM Alger in the Caf Super Cup final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday at 3pm, giving Mosimane another opportunity to assess the pair before the international fixtures.

“They are key players for us, who have been leading us to the first Afcon, the second Afcon and the Fifa World Cup, and they have been part of the games against Guinea and Eritrea,” Mosimane said.

“They are very important players and we wait until the final moment. The doctors must tell me to rule them out. Then we can bring other players, as we did with [Tshepang] Moremi last time.

“We have to give them the benefit of the doubt because you and I don’t know. What if they play on Sunday? If I ruled them out today, you would ask me why I had left Teboho and Ronwen out, and I would tell you they are injured.

“We have to be careful with the national team and wait until the end. It is a very tricky thing. I would rather play safe than regret it, until I know the player is not available.”

Bafana Bafana host Kenya at Orlando Stadium on November 13 before travelling to Nairobi for the return fixture on November 17.

Chicago Fire centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi returns after recovering from injury, while Siyanda Ndlovu has been rewarded for his recent form. Themba Zwane and Nkosinathi Sibisi were omitted, with Thapelo Maseko unavailable because of injury.

Mosimane described Ndlovu as a suitable replacement for Maseko, pointing to the winger’s recent performances.

“In his last four games, I think he came out with two man-of-the-match awards. His scoring and assists are also a little bit of a duplicate of Maseko,” he said.

“He has intensity. He goes inside, takes on players one versus one and runs in behind. Those are the kind of wingers I like.

“But we still need to assess him in the national team because it is not the same as club level. We need to create a big pool of players.”

Bafana Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss.

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Ime Okon, Lebone Seema, Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel.

Strikers: Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, Cassius Mailula, Oswin Appollis, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Relebohile Mofokeng, Luther Singh, Tshepang Moremi, Siyanda Ndlovu.