Pitso Mosimane explains Aden McCarthy’s omission from final Bafana Bafana squad

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane says competition for places in central defence was the reason Sabah FK defender Aden McCarthy was left out of the final squad for South Africa’s 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Kenya.

South Africa will play Kenya in back-to-back matches this month, with Bafana Bafana aiming to finish top of Group D. Kenya have already secured their place at the finals as one of the co-hosts.

McCarthy has made an encouraging start at Sabah FK. His club are second in their domestic league with 20 points from nine matches and have also impressed in the UEFA Champions League.

The 22-year-old, formerly of Kaizer Chiefs, has scored in Europe’s premier club competition, although he was sent off during Wednesday night’s match against Viking.

Mosimane said he recognised McCarthy’s recent form but had opted to recall Chicago Fire centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, who was last involved with the national team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya was also selected after making an impressive start in Scotland.

“I would like to also touch a little bit, just one point, especially on defenders,” Mosimane said on SABC TV.

“We saw Aden McCarthy. He scored also, right? He scored in the Champions League. But we need to give Mbokazi an opportunity to be back with the national team because he has done exceptionally well for the national team.

“He played in the World Cup, right? And then Olwethu Makhanya has been playing, right? So you see now where we fall with McCarthy, he’s doing well we all know that.

“If I had a friendly like with Egypt I’d call all of them. They’d all be here and play and we see them.”

Mosimane’s comments indicate that McCarthy’s exclusion was not a reflection of his performances for Sabah FK, but the result of the options available to the coach in defence.

Mbokazi’s previous contribution to the national team and Makhanya’s form for Rangers were prioritised for the two qualifiers, despite McCarthy’s club campaign earning attention in both domestic football and the UEFA Champions League.