Mosimane warns returning stars they must earn Bafana places

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane says players returning from injury will not automatically reclaim their places for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya at Orlando Stadium on Friday (6pm).

South Africa face coach Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars again in Nairobi next Tuesday (6pm SA time). Mosimane’s side are targeting six points from the two matches as they seek to remain top of Group D and stay on course for next year’s tournament, which will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thalente Mbatha and Lyle Foster are available again after missing the previous camp, when Mosimane began his return as Bafana coach with victories over Guinea and Eritrea.

The coach is keen to preserve the team’s momentum. During the last international window, Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya formed the central-defensive pairing in Mbokazi’s absence, while Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole operated in midfield without Mbatha. Iqraam Rayners led the attack while Foster was injured.

“It is all those guys that we brought back [who were part of] the World Cup and it is important for me to give them the respect to be part of the group without compromising what has been happening because that’s more important. You are as good as your last game,” Mosimane said.

“We need to keep the momentum going in terms of results. At the national team we don’t have the same players easily back from injury. We have Thapelo Maseko out with an injury and it is not easy [to miss such a player] but the good thing is we have Thalente Mbatha back.

“We need to give him [Mbatha] an opportunity to be with this group because there was never a problem when he was around. The same with Lyle [Foster], Mbokazi and others.”

Mosimane also stressed that those returning must recognise that their replacements performed well while they were unavailable.

“Some of the guys were not around [during the last camp], but they played at the World Cup and we need to give them the opportunity. Everyone knows you are as good as your last game.

“If you were injured, we need to have somebody to play in your position and we need to encourage those who are returning that there were others playing on the pitch when they were not playing.

“So, when you are coming back and others are playing, you must have the right mentality and understand what has been happening, otherwise we don’t look at this thing right.”

Asked about working with Chicago Fire player Mbokazi during the camp, Mosimane praised the defender’s attitude and approach.

“He is a good boy, good player, has good mentality and he wants to play from what I saw in the games,” he said.

Mosimane added that the players arriving from Major League Soccer had overcome significant travel demands to join the squad.

“The MLS [US’s Major League Soccer] players travelled for one-and-half days to be here because of time differences. They just come in and gel properly, they are focused and show they come from a good environment.”