Mosimane keeps World Cup core in 30-man Bafana Bafana squad

Pitso Mosimane has confirmed a 30-man Bafana Bafana squad for South Africa’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, retaining much of the group that featured at the 2026 World Cup while recalling several players and including a number of youngsters.

Mosimane initially named 35 players two weeks ago but has now reduced the squad ahead of the matches that will begin his second spell as South Africa’s permanent head coach.

Bafana Bafana are in Group D with Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya. They will face Guinea at Orlando Stadium on 26 September before travelling to Eritrea for their second qualifier on 30 September.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027.

South Africa will then play an international friendly against Egypt, with Mosimane viewing the fixture as an important test during his first camp since returning to the national team.

“We have reduced the [squad from] 35 to 30 players, not an easy thing to do,” Mosimane said.

“We had to do our homework, who we called, why we called. But you must also understand why we couldn’t call all the players.”

Mosimane accepted that the two qualifiers would be the priority because points are at stake, but said the match against Egypt would offer valuable experience against a leading African side.

“Two qualifiers, one friendly. Everyone understands the importance of the qualifiers. But Egypt are also a big gun. It’s important to face the big guns.”

The former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach has opted against making wholesale changes to the squad inherited from Hugo Broos. Most of the players who represented South Africa at the World Cup remain involved.

Injuries have ruled out five members of that group, while Mosimane has also used the opportunity to bring several younger players into the squad.

Fawaz Basadien, Lebohang Maboe, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Yanela Mbuthuma, Cassius Mailula, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Luther Singh and Shandre Campbell are among those returning after falling out of favour under Broos.

“We kept the core of the World Cup team, but we have five players out due to injury, and we also want to give young players a chance.”

Mosimane, 62, previously served as a Bafana Bafana assistant before becoming manager in July 2010. His first spell ended in June 2012 after a 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Ethiopia in Rustenburg.

That tenure also included South Africa’s failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. Bafana Bafana played for a draw against Sierra Leone in their final qualifier, wrongly believing the result would be enough to secure their place at the tournament.

More than 14 years later, Mosimane returns with a much longer coaching record. He achieved major success with Mamelodi Sundowns before winning several trophies with Egyptian club Al Ahly and later taking up coaching roles in the Middle East.

He inherits a team that made significant progress under Broos and gained experience from playing at the World Cup. His immediate challenge is to preserve that momentum while gradually introducing his own methods and players.