Mosimane’s First Bafana Squad: Fresh Faces and Big Decisions

Pitso Mosimane has wasted no time putting his stamp on Bafana Bafana.

Days after his appointment as South Africa’s national team head coach, he has named a preliminary 35-man squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, a first glimpse of his vision for the next cycle.

Pamoja opener at home

South Africa will launch their Pamoja tournament campaign with a home clash against Guinea on 26 September. The tournament is jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, but Bafana open on familiar soil before hitting the road.

After Guinea, Mosimane’s side head “away” to face Eritrea. That fixture, though, will not be played in Asmara. Eritrea will stage their home match in Egypt, with no suitable stadium currently available in their own country.

Two games, one new era. The stakes are already clear.

Injury blows from Broos’ core

Mosimane’s first list arrives with notable absentees from the group that carried South Africa to the 2026 World Cup under former coach Hugo Broos.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa all miss out through injury. Under Broos, they formed part of the spine of the squad; under Mosimane, they start this chapter on the sidelines.

Their absence opens doors. And Mosimane has kicked those doors wide open.

New blood, new energy

The preliminary squad is sprinkled with fresh names that signal a willingness to expand the pool.

• Lebone Seema
• Tshepo Mashilane
• Jemran Dansin
• Yanela Mutuma
• Cassius Mailula
• Puso Dithejane
• Tashreeq Matthews
• Ronaldo van Niel
• Luther Singh
• Shandre Campbell

all make the cut. For several of them, this is a genuine step into the national spotlight.

Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Lebohang Maboe, both overlooked for the final World Cup squad, are also back in the frame. They now have a second shot at forcing their way into the core under a new coach with new ideas.

The message is sharp: reputations alone will not carry anyone. Form and fit will.

Old guard still central

Mosimane has not ripped everything up. He has kept the backbone that has served South Africa well in recent years.

Captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams remains the anchor at the back. Sipho Chaine joins him among the trusted options between the posts.

At the back and in wide areas, Tapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba and Nkosinathi Sibisi stay on board, preserving continuity in key defensive positions.

In midfield, Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole retain their places, a sign that Mosimane values their control and steel in the middle of the pitch. Higher up, Relebohile Mofokeng and Themba Zwane keep their roles as creative sparks.

So the core survives, but it now sits inside a much broader cast.

A squad that hints at a reset

This is only a preliminary list, not the final cut. Yet it already reads like a blueprint.

Mosimane has kept the leaders, opened the door to a wave of newcomers and been forced to navigate injuries to four players who were once automatic picks. The balance between stability and change will define how quickly Bafana can adapt to his demands.

Guinea at home. Eritrea in Egypt. A new coach, a reshaped squad, and qualifiers that will set the tone for the 2027 AFCON journey.

How quickly can this new-look Bafana Bafana turn promise into results?