By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has announced his final squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea.
The qualifiers are scheduled to take place in September and October 2026.
Mosimane stuck to regulars in the squad while Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Lebohang Maboe, Cassius Mailula of Mamelodi Sundowns and Shandre Campbell who now plays for Kortrijk rejoined the national team.
Bafana Bafana Final Squad.
Goalkeepers:
Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss (Both Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates)
Defenders:
Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane (All Mamelodi Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers), Ime Okon (Hannover 96), Kamogelo Sebelebele, Lebone Seema, Nkosinathi Emmanuel Sibisi (All Orlando Pirates)
Midfielders:
Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas (Both Mamelodi Sundowns), Lebohang Maboe (Kaizer Chiefs), Sphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City)
Forwards:
Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula, Tashreeq Matthews, Themba Zwane (All Mamelodi Sundowns), Yanela Mbuthuma, Oswin Appollis (Both Orlando Pirates), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire), Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), Thapelo Maseko (Copenhagen), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol), Shandre Campbell (Kortrijk)
Mosimane is the new Bafana coach after succeeding Hugo Broos. It is a second national team stint for the highly rated coach, who previously led Bafana between 2010 and 2012.
He returns armed with the experience of winning CAF Champions League titles with Sundowns and Egyptian giants Al Ahly. Also, coaching spells in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Iran could have prepared him for the bigger national team challenge.
The upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea at home and Eritrea away, as well as an international friendly match against Egypt, will thrust Mosimane into the spotlight. Scrutiny on the coach will be around whether he will be able to guide Bafana to silverware after a largely unsuccessful first stint when he failed to qualify for the 2012 AFCON.