Mosimane gives Williams and Mokoena chance to prove fitness for Kenya qualifiers

Pitso Mosimane says Ronwen Williams and Teboho Mokoena will remain in his Bafana Bafana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations double-header against Kenya unless doctors rule them out.

The Mamelodi Sundowns pair have been recovering from injuries and missed recent club matches, but Mosimane included both in his 27-man selection as they continue their return to full fitness.

Sundowns face USM Alger in the Caf Super Cup final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday at 3pm. Mosimane says he will wait until after that match before deciding whether either player must withdraw.

“Well, those are key players for us, who have been leading us to the first Afcon, the second Afcon and the Fifa World Cup and they have been part of the games of Guinea and Eritrea,” he said.

“So, they are very important players and we wait for the last time where we say, the doctors must tell me to rule them out. Then we can bring other players like we brought [Tshepang] Moremi last time.

“We have to give them the benefit of the doubt because you and I don’t know. What if they play on Sunday?

“And I ruled them out today. You will ask me, you have left Teboho and Ronwen [out] and I come to you and say ‘they are injured’.

“We have to be careful with the national team, we wait until the end. It’s a very tricky thing, I’d rather play safe than to regret it, until I know that the player is not available.”

Bafana Bafana host Kenya at Orlando Stadium on November 13 before travelling to Nairobi for the return fixture on November 17.

Chicago Fire centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi returns after injury, while Siyanda Ndlovu has been rewarded for his recent form. Themba Zwane and Nkosinathi Sibisi have been left out, and Thapelo Maseko misses the squad because of injury.

Mosimane believes Ndlovu can fill the role vacated by Maseko.

“I think if you look at his last four games, I think he came out with two man-of-the-matches. Scoring and assists are also a little bit of a duplicate of Maseko,” he said.

“I like those wingers, some people like wingers who turn around. I like that. Go inside, one vs one, go behind, those are kind of my wingers.

“He is that kind of player who has intensity, but we still need to check him in the national team because here, it is not the same as club level. We need to create a big pool of players.”

Bafana Bafana squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss.

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Samukelo Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Ime Okon, Lebone Seema, Mbekezeli Mbokazi.

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel.

Strikers: Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, Cassius Mailula, Oswin Appollis, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Relebohile Mofokeng, Luther Singh, Tshepang Moremi, Siyanda Ndlovu.