Bafana Bafana name starting XI for Eritrea Africa Cup of Nations qualifier

Bafana Bafana face Eritrea in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Cairo’s Al Salam Stadium on Wednesday, with kick-off scheduled for 18h00.

Coach Pitso Mosimane has made his return to the national team set-up and will be seeking consecutive victories in his second spell in charge. South Africa opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win over Guinea on Saturday.

Eritrea also made a positive start to the campaign, holding Kenya to a 1-1 draw in their opening match.

The hosts are competing in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for the first time in 19 years. They reached this stage after defeating Eswatini emphatically over two legs in the preliminary rounds.

Eritrea have lost only once in their past five matches, with that defeat coming against Niger in a friendly. They have won two and drawn two of their other four games during that run.

Wednesday’s fixture will be the first meeting between Bafana Bafana and the East African side.

Confirmed line-ups

South Africa start with Williams in goal, while Okon, Makhanya, Kabini and Sebelebele form the defensive line.

Sithole and Aubaas are included in midfield, with Mofokeng, Appollis and Maseko supporting Rayners in attack.

Bafana Bafana: Williams, Okon, Makhanya, Kabini, Sebelebele, Sithole, Aubaas, Mofokeng, Appollis, Maseko, Rayners

Substitutes: Goss, Chaine, Mbuthuma, Matuludi, Morena, Singh, Seema, Ndamane, Basadien, Mailula, Poggenpoel, Zwane