Pitso Mosimane recalls familiar names for Bafana Bafana’s 2027 AFCON qualifiers

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has included Luther Singh, Fawaaz Basadien, Yanela Mbuthuma and Cassius Mailula in his preliminary squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

South Africa will begin their qualifying programme at home against Guinea on 26 September. Mosimane’s side will then travel to face Eritrea in their second qualifier.

The provisional selection also contains first call-ups for Puso Dithejane, Cemran Dansin and Golden Arrows striker Ronaldo van Neel.

The squad features a mixture of established internationals, returning players and new faces as Mosimane prepares Bafana Bafana for the opening two matches of the qualification campaign.

Mosimane’s selection comes after criticism of the national team, with the coach previously responding: “They’ll be one or two who can say whatever they want!”

Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss have been named as the three goalkeepers in the preliminary group.

The defensive options are Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya and Khulumani Ndamane.

In midfield, Mosimane has selected Teboho Mokoena, Lebogang Maboe, Cemran Dansin, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas and Brooklyn Poggenpoel.

The forward group includes 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.

Bafana Bafana’s opening match against Guinea on 26 September will be played on home soil before the team’s away fixture against Eritrea.

The squad is preliminary, meaning further changes may be made before the final selection for the two qualifiers is confirmed.

Bafana Bafana 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, Shandre Campbell