Mosimane surprised by Sundowns’ 13-player influence in Bafana Bafana squad

Pitso Mosimane says he was surprised to discover that Mamelodi Sundowns provide 13 of the 30 players in his first Bafana Bafana squad since returning as head coach.

The club’s representation makes up almost half of the squad selected for the upcoming international window. Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates have the next-largest contingent, with six players called up.

Together, Sundowns and Pirates account for more than half of Mosimane’s squad, reflecting the dominance of the two leading forces in South African football.

Mosimane said the numbers emerged naturally from his assessment of the players currently performing at the highest level, rather than from any attempt to favour one club.

“I was so shocked yesterday (on Sunday) and I told someone that I didn’t realise we had so many players from Mamelodi Sundowns because when you choose, you choose the best leftbacks, you have Aubrey and then Basadien,” he said.

The coach also pointed to Sundowns’ recent achievements as a reason so many of their players had been selected. The Tshwane club won the African-Asian-Pacific Cup last weekend and are currently top of the domestic standings.

“And then you can ask me but they come from the same team but those are the ones that won a trophy last week and are top of the log and it’s the same as goalkeepers,” Mosimane said.

He acknowledged that Bafana Bafana might benefit from having players spread among more of the country’s leading clubs, but said he would not alter his selection simply to reduce Sundowns’ influence.

“Maybe another one should be playing at another top team but that’s not my situation, I found it like this, I’m not here to shake the tree, people can ask those questions of why they’re all at the same team.”

Sundowns’ strong presence comes as the club continues to enjoy a successful period after dominating South African football in recent years. Pirates are the only other club to supply more than a small number of players to the squad.

For Mosimane, however, club affiliation has been less important than the quality of the individual players available to him.

His first competitive test in this latest spell as Bafana Bafana head coach comes on September 26, when South Africa host Guinea at Orlando Stadium in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Bafana Bafana will then play Eritrea in Egypt on September 30, before facing the Pharaohs in a friendly on October 4.