Bafana Bafana recall four key players for Kenya Afcon qualifiers

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has named a preliminary 38-man squad for next month’s back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thalente Mbatha, Lebohang Maboe and Luke le Roux have all returned after missing the previous camp for various reasons.

Mosimane has also recognised a number of players who have impressed recently, with Thalasani Mbanjwa, Aiden Mcacarthy, Nkosikhona Radebe, Devin Titus, Boitumelo Radiopane and Nxaba Xulu included in the squad.

Evidence Makgopa remains absent, while Yanela Mbuthuma has been left out after featuring in the previous camp, which included matches against Guinea, Eritrea and Egypt.

Mbokazi’s return gives Mosimane another option in central defence, although his selection creates competition alongside Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya.

Maboe was forced to withdraw from the last camp because of injury. His inclusion strengthens the midfield options available to the coach, with Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas and Brooklyn Poggenpoel also competing for places.

Preliminary squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Sundowns), Thakasani Mbanjwa (Arrows)

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba (Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (FC Molde, Norway), Fawaaz Basadien (Sundowns), Nkosingiphile Radebe (AmaZulu), Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane (all Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers FC, Scotland), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Sibisi (all Pirates), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA), Aden McCarthy (Sabah FK)

Midfielders: Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela CD, Portugal), Bathusi Aubaas (Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City), Thalente Mbatha (Pirates), Luke Le Roux (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen, Denmark), Teboho Mokoena (Sundowns), Lebohang Maboe (Chiefs), Themba Zwane (Sundowns)

Forwards: Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula, Tashreeq Matthews (Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Pirates), Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Devin Titus (Maghreb Fes, Morocco), Lyle Foster (Houston Dynamo, USA), Boitumelo Radiopane (Pirates), Nqaba Xulu (Richards Bay), Tshepang Moremi (Pirates), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire, USA)