Mosimane faces Bafana Bafana selection dilemma as injured quartet return

Pitso Mosimane faces a difficult selection decision before naming his next Bafana Bafana squad, with four players returning from injury and fewer places expected to be available in camp.

Mosimane initially selected 30 players for his first Bafana Bafana camp, but that number is unlikely to be repeated during next month’s international break, when the team are scheduled to play only two matches.

Bafana Bafana began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with victories away to Guinea and Eritrea before completing the international window with a 1-0 friendly win against Egypt.

Their next assignment is a double-header against Kenya. South Africa will be seeking six more points from those matches as they attempt to strengthen their bid to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations for a third consecutive time.

Mosimane must now assemble a squad of no more than 25 players while assessing whether to recall Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thalente Mbatha, Lyle Foster and Evidence Makgopa.

The quartet were part of the FIFA World Cup squad but missed Bafana Bafana’s recent fixtures because of injury. Foster had been short of regular playing time, although he has recently begun featuring for new club Houston Dynamo after joining from English Championship side Burnley.

Their return gives Mosimane more options but also creates a selection problem after several players impressed during the team’s three recent matches.

Defensive competition

Mbokazi’s availability is expected to prompt the biggest debate in central defence, particularly after Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya formed a reliable partnership in the qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea.

The pair were effective in building play from the back and communicated well when Bafana Bafana came under pressure. Mosimane must decide whether to retain that combination or bring Mbokazi straight back into the starting line-up.

That choice is particularly significant because Mbokazi, known as ‘TLB’, has previously been an important option for the national team.

More choices in attack

The return of Makgopa and Foster also broadens Mosimane’s attacking options. The coach has acknowledged that goalscoring remains a problem in South African football, and he now has more forwards available to address it.

Iqraam Rayners, Yanela Mbuthuma and Cassius Mailula were the strikers selected for Bafana Bafana’s three matches during the previous window.

Makgopa and Foster’s inclusion would increase competition for places in the forward line, while also forcing Mosimane to consider whether players who performed well in their absence should retain their positions.

With the Kenya fixtures arriving next month, Mosimane’s task will be to balance continuity with the quality and experience provided by the returning players.