Mosimane explains why direct winger Ndlovu earned Bafana Bafana call-up

Siyanda Ndlovu’s rapid rise at Mamelodi Sundowns has earned him a place in Pitso Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana squad for the two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya.

The winger was not included in the preliminary squad, making his eventual selection unexpected. South Africa will face Kenya in a Group D match at Orlando Stadium next Friday before the teams meet again four days later.

Ndlovu has impressed since establishing himself at Sundowns, where manager Miguel Cardoso has regularly rotated his squad since the beginning of the season. The winger has taken advantage of the opportunities provided to him and has been rewarded with international recognition.

Mosimane said Ndlovu’s willingness to attack defenders and deliver the ball into dangerous areas was a key reason for his inclusion. The coach is looking for wide players who can move forward decisively, beat opponents and create chances for their team-mates.

That approach has been evident in Ndlovu’s recent performances for Sundowns, although his ability to reproduce that form at international level remains to be tested.

Mosimane wants more direct wingers

Speaking to the media after announcing his squad, Mosimane pointed to Ndlovu’s recent statistics and performances as evidence of his progress.

“I think if you look at his last four games, he came with two man of the matches. He is scoring and assists also,” Mosimane said.

He then described Ndlovu as a player whose decisions on the pitch are purposeful, while comparing his style to that of Thapelo Maseko.

“Deliberate player. A little bit of a duplicate to Thapelo Maseko, right? I like those wingers (who are direct). Some people who like wingers who turnround and turnaround. I like that, going inside, one versus one, go past and bring it in the box and let’s tap it in. Those are my kind of wingers. Do you know why? Because it’s business. It’s deliberate. Do you score? Of course. You can’t tell us about assists and you don’t score. He’s that kind of player who has intensity, but we still have to check him in the national team because national team is not the same level as club level. We have to check him in the national team if he can fit in. Thapelo is injured, so we need to create a big pool of players.”

Mosimane’s comments underline both Ndlovu’s immediate opportunity and the uncertainty surrounding his long-term place in the team. The coach believes his directness fits the demands of the national side, but the winger must now show that his club performances can be matched in Bafana Bafana colours.

Maseko’s injury has also opened the door for greater competition among the team’s wide players, with Mosimane seeking to build a larger group of options.