Doctor Khumalo urges Cemran Dansin to use Bafana Bafana omission as motivation

Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Doctor Khumalo has encouraged Orlando Pirates youngster Cemran Dansin to remain positive after he was left out of the final Bafana Bafana squad for the September 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Dansin, 21, was included in Pitso Mosimane’s preliminary squad for the matches against Guinea and Eritrea, as well as the subsequent international friendly against Egypt. However, he did not make the final selection for the fixtures.

Khumalo believes Dansin’s place in the provisional squad should be viewed as an indication that he remains part of Mosimane’s plans, rather than as a setback.

“Preliminary, it’s a hope that ‘oh, I was selected’,” Khumalo said on The DNA Podcast.

“Hence, I’m saying it doesn’t mean that you’re not part of the 30, you’re out and out, outright.

“I mean, Dansin, the young boy from Orlando Pirates, Pitso is talking to us to say these are youngsters that we need to groom.

“Just to show that boys, you are part of my journey you are part of the preliminary squad.

“But because I’m going to my first war, let me take the experienced soldiers but I haven’t forgotten about you boy, you see.”

Dansin came through the Orlando Pirates DDC side and is now in his second full season with the first team. He played a part in the club’s treble-winning campaign last season, which included the Betway Premiership title.

The midfielder has made six appearances for Orlando Pirates in all competitions this season. Although he was not selected for the senior national team’s final squad, he has received recognition at under-23 level.

Dansin has been called up to the national U23 side for two matches against Algeria this month.

Khumalo said the preliminary selection itself should provide Dansin with confidence, while also reflecting Mosimane’s intention to develop younger players within the national-team set-up.