Newly appointed Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has wasted no time in shaping his squad, announcing his first preliminary selection just days after taking charge of the South African senior men’s national team.
Mosimane officially succeeded Hugo Broos earlier this week and has immediately turned his attention to South Africa’s upcoming 2027 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Bafana Bafana will begin their qualifying journey at home against Guinea on Saturday, 26 September 2026, before travelling to face Eritrea four days later on Wednesday, 30 September.
The national team will then remain on the road for an international friendly against Egypt on 4 October.
The majority of the players who featured for South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been retained. Bafana reached the knockout stages of the tournament, which was hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
However, a number of World Cup players are missing from the preliminary squad due to injuries. The upcoming matches will also mark Bafana Bafana’s first fixtures since the passing of Jayden Adams, who was laid to rest in Stellenbosch in July.
Mosimane has also opened the door for several younger players, with some of his selections potentially featuring in Raymond Mdaka’s South African Under-23 squad when it is announced in the coming weeks.
The two coaching teams are reportedly working closely together as part of a broader effort to strengthen the pathway between South Africa’s senior and junior national teams.
Further announcements are expected from the South African Football Association as preparations continue.
Mosimane is expected to confirm his final squad in the coming days, ahead of the team’s camp for the AFCON qualifiers.
