Ronwen Williams welcomes Mbokazi and Foster back into South Africa squad

South Africa captain Ronwen Williams says the return of FIFA World Cup squad members Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Lyle Foster has strengthened Bafana Bafana ahead of their two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya.

The pair are back in the national team for the first time since the World Cup and were unavailable for coach Pitso Mosimane’s previous squad, which faced Guinea and Eritrea in the last two qualifiers.

Mbokazi missed those matches because of injury, while Foster was completing a move between clubs. The striker had recently left English Championship side Burnley for Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo.

Williams believes their presence has increased both the quality and competition within the squad, with South Africa enjoying a wider range of options ahead of the Kenya fixtures.

“Having Mbokazi back and Lyle back, it’s amazing,” Williams said.

“They will obviously strengthen us and they will bring their quality and competition. This week’s training has been so competitive. We are excited to have them back.

“It’s good. That’s another headache for the coach. When last were we in this situation, to have so many players to choose from? It’s good to have everyone back and there are a lot more knocking on the door.

“We must celebrate that we have so many players doing exceptionally well. It can help us and put us in the right direction to achieve those targets.”

Mbokazi’s return also presents Mosimane with a decision to make in central defence.

In the previous qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya operated at the heart of the Bafana Bafana defence. Mbokazi’s availability now gives the coach another option as he considers his starting line-up for the meetings with Kenya.