Pitso Mosimane return could revive international hopes of five overlooked South Africa players

After being confirmed as South Africa’s coach for a second time on Tuesday, Pitso Mosimane has indicated that emerging talent will be given an opportunity, potentially opening the door for five players who were overlooked by his predecessor Hugo Broos.

Mosimane, one of the most decorated coaches in South Africa, could look to freshen up Bafana Bafana’s squad by considering a group of players who have impressed at club level but have not been regular choices for the national team.

The most pressing issue is likely to be at centre-back. With first-choice defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi still out injured, Lebone Seema may offer Mosimane a ready-made solution.

The 23-year-old has made a strong impression since joining Orlando Pirates before the start of last season. Seema played an important role as Pirates won their first league title in 14 years last season and has rarely put a foot wrong during his time at the club.

His continued absence from Broos’ squads has been difficult to explain, particularly after Seema was named Defender of the Season. A return to the international setup under Mosimane would give him the chance to compete for a central defensive position at a time when Bafana Bafana are without Mbokazi.

Gift Links could also benefit from the change in management. The 27-year-old has arguably been South Africa’s best left-back over the past three seasons, although he was never a preferred option for Broos.

Links has continued to perform for Aarhus in Denmark, who have been involved in UEFA competitions this season. He helped the club win its first league title in 40 years last season and has since gained valuable experience against high-profile opposition, including Benfica and Lech Poznan.

That exposure could make him an attractive option for Mosimane as he assesses the left-back position and considers players with experience beyond domestic football.

In attack, Puso Dithejane has been producing eye-catching performances in the United States. The 22-year-old Chicago Fire winger has scored several goals and delivered a number of important assists in the club’s recent matches.

Dithejane can also play as a playmaker, with his ability to operate in more than one attacking role one of the qualities that has consistently separated him from his peers. That versatility could make him a useful addition to Mosimane’s plans.

Antonio van Wyk has made an immediate impact at Mamelodi Sundowns after joining from Austrian club SV Ried before the start of this season. The 24-year-old has already scored four goals and provided an assist in the limited number of appearances he has made for Sundowns this campaign.

Mosimane has previously shown a preference for wingers who can contribute goals. He converted Lyle Lakay from a winger into a full-back after deciding that Lakay was not scoring often enough. Van Wyk, by contrast, offers the new Bafana Bafana coach the type of wide player who regularly finds the net.

Lebohang Maboe is another player with a potential route back into the national team. He was included in Broos’ preliminary squad for the recent World Cup but was left out of the final selection.

The 31-year-old has worked with Mosimane before at Mamelodi Sundowns, which could count in his favour. Maboe has also been in excellent form for Kaizer Chiefs in recent months.

A tireless midfielder, Maboe brings the ability to control the tempo through intelligent passing, make calm decisions and contribute strongly in defensive situations. Those qualities could appeal to Mosimane as he begins his second spell in charge of Bafana Bafana.