Pitso Mosimane announces South Africa squad for 2027 AFCON qualifiers

New Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has named his preliminary South Africa squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the international friendly against Egypt next month.

Mosimane was presented to the media earlier this week and will now begin preparations for his first matches in charge of the national team.

South Africa will open their qualifying campaign against Guinea on 26 September. They will then travel to face Eritrea four days later.

Bafana Bafana are also scheduled to play a friendly against North African giants Egypt on 4 October.

The squad includes established internationals such as captain Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Lyle Foster and Themba Zwane, alongside several younger players.

South Africa preliminary squad

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Khulumani Ndamane

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Lebogang Maboe, Cemran Dansin, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel

Forwards: Iqraam Rayners, Yanela Mbuthuma, Lyle Foster, Cassius Mailula, Oswin Appollis, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Ronaldo van Neel, Thapelo Maseko, Moremi, Luther Singh and Shandre Campbell

Mosimane’s appointment was confirmed before the squad announcement, with the former South Africa coach returning to lead Bafana Bafana.

His immediate task is to prepare the team for a demanding sequence of matches, beginning with the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying encounter against Guinea on 26 September.

The meeting with Eritrea follows on 30 September, with the Egypt friendly completing the current schedule on 4 October.

The preliminary selection features three goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and 14 forwards.

Williams, Chaine and Goss make up the goalkeeping group, while the defensive options include Modiba, Kabini, Basadien, Sebelebele, Morena, Matuludi, Makhanya and Ndamane.

Mokoena, Maboe, Dansin, Sithole, Aubaas and Poggenpoel have been selected in midfield.

The forward group contains a mix of experienced and emerging players, with Foster, Zwane, Singh and Rayners joined by Appollis, Mailula, Matthews, Mofokeng and Campbell, among others.

Mosimane was unveiled to the media earlier this week as he began his latest period in charge of South Africa. A related report was headlined: “Pitso: I Am Not Carrying The Biggest Broom”.

The squad will form the basis of South Africa’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign and the friendly against Egypt.