Mosimane signals Bafana Bafana changes but backs World Cup core

Pitso Mosimane has suggested he will make changes to the Bafana Bafana squad, but the new head coach says he will not discard the players who formed the foundation of the team’s recent progress.

Mosimane, 62, was officially unveiled as Hugo Broos’ successor on Tuesday, bringing an end to months of speculation following the Belgian coach’s departure. Broos spent five years in charge and guided South Africa to consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, including a podium finish at one of them.

Under Broos, Bafana Bafana also qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending a 16-year wait for an appearance at the tournament. They made further history by reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time.

Mosimane’s immediate priority will be the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with the tournament to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. South Africa will begin their Group D campaign at home against Guinea before travelling to face Eritrea later this month.

Asked whether he planned a major overhaul of the squad, Mosimane said he inherited a strong base but would use the opportunity to examine players who had been overlooked or had not yet received meaningful international playing time.

“I’m not carrying the biggest broom to sweep here,” said Mosimane.

“We have a very good foundation of a team that went to the World Cup. Yeah, it’s mixed with about five injuries, major injuries that they won’t be available. I think you know the names of the people who are not going to be available. So, we need to replace those but it’s very important. There’s no time, as you said.”

Several established players will therefore need to be replaced because of significant injuries. However, Mosimane also indicated that he is monitoring South Africans performing well overseas and emerging talents who have yet to establish themselves in the national team.

“We just have to replace those players who are out injured, and also at the same time, there’s a few emerging talents, players who are doing exceptionally well abroad. We know about them we’re looking into that. But the main focus is the two qualifiers, and we have a friendly game that we can bring and give other players a chance who have not been able to play.

“I mean, we have players like [Samkelo] Kabini, they have never been given a chance to play, so we have to see them also and they are part of the team. They were in the World Cup, they didn’t get a chance to play, but we also have a team that you and me know very well that has to lead us to qualify for the AFCON, but in the process we will give opportunities to other players.

“Fortunately, there’s friendly game behind the two qualifiers, so hopefully we see those players playing because you also want to see some of those players who were at the World Cup and never had a chance to play or who maybe played one game, friendly game.

“So, they have an opportunity to be seen and also there’s others who have not been called up but they’ve raised their hands internationally and playing at a good level. So that’s the plan.”

The friendly match scheduled after the two qualifiers will give Mosimane the chance to assess players who were part of the World Cup squad but made limited or no appearances. It may also provide an opportunity for players who have not been selected previously but have impressed at international level and are performing strongly for their clubs.

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