Pitso Mosimane Names Provisional Bafana Bafana Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

Dr Pitso Mosimane has taken charge of Bafana Bafana for a third stint, naming an extended provisional squad on Friday for upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, alongside an international friendly against Egypt in Cairo.

The newly appointed South African national team coach returned to the post with limited preparation time following his delayed appointment, immediately releasing an extensive player list. The squad selection reflects both the immediate demands of upcoming continental fixtures and a necessary pivot following injuries to several of Hugo Broos’ stalwarts.

Lebogang Maile Welcomes Pitso Mosimane

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile has welcomed the official appointment of Dr Pitso Mosimane as the new head coach of Bafana Bafana, describing his return to the national team as an important moment for South African football. Mosimane returns to the national team with a wealth of experience accumulated at club, national and international level. Maile said the coach’s record, including his achievements with Mamelodi Sundowns, Al Ahly and other clubs in the Middle-East, makes him well-equipped to lead the country’s senior men’s national team.

We welcome the finalisation of the appointment of Dr Pitso Mosimane as Head Coach of Bafana Bafana and commend both SAFA and Coach Mosimane for reaching this important milestone, Maile said

We are excited to see Dr Mosimane return to Bafana Bafana. South Africa is fortunate to have one of its most accomplished and respected coaches taking responsibility for our national team.

AFCON Qualifiers and Cairo Friendly Schedule

The newly assembled squad faces a demanding fixture schedule. South Africa will meet Guinea at home on September 23, before they play Eritrea away four days later. They will then face Egypt in an international friendly in Cairo on 4 October.

Pitso Mosimane Names Provisional Bafana Bafana Squad

Squad Selection and New Faces

Several injuries to Hugo Broos’ stalwarts has opened the door to players who will be hoping to use this opportunity to impress the new boss.

The full provisional squad named includes goalkeepers Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, and Ricardo Goss. The defenders selected are Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, and Khulumani Ndamane. The midfielders named are Teboho Mokoena, Lebogang Maboe, Cemran Dansin, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel. The forwards and additional squad members included are 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, Mpho Padime, Tshepo Mashiloane, and Lebone Seema.

Gauteng Department Focuses on School Football and Youth Development

Development and Broader Impact

PITSO MOSIMANE ANNOUNCED HIS FIRST BAFANA BAFANA🇿🇦PRELIM SQUAD FOR AFCON QUALIFIERS

For Maile, Mosimane’s appointment is about more than the immediate fortunes of Bafana Bafana. The Gauteng MEC has particularly welcomed the coach’s reported commitment to strengthening school football, youth development and coach education, arguing that the future of the national team depends on creating a stronger development pathway from grassroots football.

Coach Pitso understands that the future strength of Bafana Bafana begins long before a player reaches professional football. It begins in our communities and, critically, in our schools, Maile said

Maile noted that greater alignment between school football and the broader football ecosystem is essential if South Africa is to identify and develop talented players at an early age. He stated that schools should provide a sustainable pathway through which young players can progress from grassroots football to professional clubs and, ultimately, the national teams.

Education and sport are inseparable, he said. We need deliberate systems that identify talent early, develop young players, strengthen physical education and football in schools, and empower coaches who work with our children.

The MEC also praised Mosimane for answering what he described as the national call, highlighting the coach’s emphasis on patriotism, sacrifice and nation-building.

We thank Coach Pitso for choosing his country when his experience and record could have taken him to many other parts of the world, Maile said

According to Maile, Mosimane’s return presents an opportunity to address some of the structural challenges facing South African football by systematically identifying, nurturing, and providing opportunities for talented young players while investing in development coaches. With expectations on Mosimane to build on recent progress, Maile called on South Africans and football stakeholders to rally behind the new coach.

Coach Pitso has a mammoth responsibility to take Bafana Bafana to even greater heights, he said. He inherits a national team that has restored belief and pride among South Africans, and we have confidence that his experience, passion, patriotism and commitment to development will help build on that foundation.