Mbokazi return gives Mosimane welcome defensive dilemma

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has praised Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s attitude and energy after the highly rated defender returned to the national team squad.

The Chicago Fire FC centre-back is back with South Africa for the first time since the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He missed Mosimane’s first camp in September because of a thigh injury.

Mbokazi last played for Bafana Bafana on 28 June 2026, when they lost to Canada in the Round of 32. Despite travelling from the United States, the 21-year-old has made a positive first impression on Mosimane.

“A good boy, a good player, he wants to play. A good mentality, good energy from what I saw in the games,” Mosimane said.

The coach also highlighted the commitment required from the team’s Major League Soccer-based players, who travelled for one-and-a-half days to join the squad.

“The MLS players travelled for one-and-a-half days to be here, and time differences- we don’t adjust our time to their time, because we are a group and they just come in and gel in properly,” he said.

“The MLS boys are focused; they show they come from a good environment, and most of them that we brought back [into the squad] went to the World Cup.”

Mosimane made it clear, however, that Mbokazi’s return does not guarantee him an immediate starting place. The coach said he wanted to welcome returning players without disrupting the progress made by the team.

“It’s important for me also to show them respect to be part of the group without compromising what’s been happening because that’s more important.”

“We are as good as our last game, I think you know that.”

“So we have to give him a chance too because he was not a problem when he was here before.”

Defensive selection decision

Mbokazi’s return to full fitness gives the technical team a number of options in central defence. Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Khulumani Ndamane are also competing for places.

Okon and Makhanya formed the overseas-based centre-back pairing during the previous international window, leaving Mosimane to decide whether to change a defence that performed well in Mbokazi’s absence or retain the players who took their opportunity.

Bafana Bafana will next defend top spot in Group D when they face Benni McCarthy’s Kenya in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The opening match is scheduled for Friday, 13 November 2026, at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, with kick-off at 18:00 SAST.

South Africa will then travel to Nairobi for the return fixture against the Harambee Stars on Tuesday, 17 November 2026.