WeeklySA_AdminCALL-UPS: Five uncapped players have earned places in Pitso Mosimane’s first Bafana Bafana squad as South Africa prepare to launch their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Guinea and Eritrea…
By WSAM Sports Reporter
New Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has handed maiden call-ups to five players as South Africa prepare to begin their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifying campaign.
Lebone Seema, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Yanela Mbuthuma, Puso Dithejane and Tashreeq Matthews are the new faces in Mosimane’s final 30-man squad for qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, followed by a friendly against Egypt.
Mosimane trimmed his preliminary 35-man selection ahead of his first international window since succeeding Hugo Broos. Bafana Bafana will host Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena on September 26 before facing Eritrea at a neutral venue in Cairo, Egypt, four days later.
The squad will remain in Egypt for a friendly against the hosts on October 4, giving Mosimane another opportunity to assess his players and begin shaping the team in his image.
“We have reduced the 35 to 30 players. It was not an easy thing to do,” Mosimane said.
“We had to do our homework — who we called and why we called them. But you must also understand why we couldn’t call all the players.”
Five newcomers
Mosimane has retained the core of the squad inherited from Broos, while opening the door to a new generation of players.
Orlando Pirates defender Seema has received his first senior international call-up, while Durban City midfielder Poggenpoel has been rewarded for his impressive club performances.
The other three newcomers bolster Bafana’s attacking options. Pirates forward Mbuthuma, Chicago Fire’s Dithejane and Mamelodi Sundowns attacker Matthews have all been included for the first time.
Mosimane said injuries had influenced several of his choices, while the extended international programme presented an opportunity to assess younger players. “We kept the core of the World Cup team, but we have five players out because of injury, and we also want to give young players a chance,” he said.
Basadien and Maboe recalled
Several familiar faces have also returned to the national set-up. Sundowns defender Fawaaz Basadien has been recalled following a strong run of club performances, while Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe is back after previously being included in South Africa’s provisional World Cup squad. Cassius Mailula and Luther Singh also return to strengthen an attack featuring established internationals Iqraam Rayners, Oswin Appollis and Themba Zwane.
Relebohile Mofokeng, Thapelo Maseko and Shandre Campbell provide further attacking options in a squad containing 11 forwards.
Captain Ronwen Williams remains Bafana’s first-choice goalkeeper and is joined by Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss — the same goalkeeping trio selected by Broos for the 2026 World Cup.
Mokoena anchors midfield
Teboho Mokoena remains a central figure in the squad and is one of its most experienced players.
The Sundowns midfielder is joined in the engine room by Maboe, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas and newcomer Poggenpoel.
Mosimane has named 11 defenders, including Aubrey Modiba, Thapelo Morena, Nkosinathi Sibisi and Ime Okon. Olwethu Makhanya, Samkelo Kabini and Khulumani Ndamane are also included as the new coach searches for his preferred defensive combinations.
While the friendly against Egypt will offer Mosimane a valuable examination against one of the continent’s leading teams, the immediate priority is collecting maximum points against Guinea and Eritrea.
“Two qualifiers, one friendly. Everyone understands the importance of the qualifiers,” Mosimane said. “But Egypt are also a big gun. It’s important to face the big guns.”
The three-match programme will provide the first indication of how Mosimane intends to shape a new era for Bafana Bafana following his return to international coaching.
Bafana Bafana squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns).
Defenders: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Samkelo Kabini (Molde FK), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers FC), Khulumani Ndamane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Lebone Seema (Orlando Pirates), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates).
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City).
Forwards: Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yanela Mbuthuma (Orlando Pirates), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire), Tashreeq Matthews (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Union Saint-Gilloise), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol), Shandre Campbell (KV Kortrijk).
