South Africa national football team coach Pitso Mosimane has named a 38-player preliminary squad for next month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Kenya, selecting players based on club performance and form rather than outside influence.
Mosimane Names 38-Player Bafana Bafana Squad
Pitso Mosimane announced the extended preliminary selection through the national team's official X account on Friday, 23 October 2026. The roster draws from the Premier Soccer League and overseas leagues, featuring strong contingents from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
The squad pairs established internationals with returning faces and newcomers. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, midfielder Teboho Mokoena, forward Iqraam Rayners, and experienced attacker Themba Zwane anchor the Sundowns representation. Orlando Pirates contribute players including Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thalente Mbatha, and Tshepang Moremi.
Overseas-based selections include Lyle Foster at Houston Dynamo, Samukele Kabini at Molde in Norway, and Ime Okon at Hannover 96 in Germany, alongside Relebohile Mofokeng with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium.
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane announces his preliminary squad for next month's back-to-back AFCON qualifiers against Benni McCarthy's Kenya.#BafanaPride @StandardBankZA @adidasZA @HonorAfrica @SABC_Sport @REXONA_SA @NUTRITECHFIT @socios @10bet_ZA @CastleLagerSA @flysaa… pic.twitter.com/lDPxomDPIz
Club Form Dictates Selection
Mosimane's latest choices reward players for their performances at club level while dropping individuals who have struggled for consistency. Aden McCarthy earned a spot after impressing at centre-back for Sabah, including appearances in the UEFA Champions League. Devin Titus drew attention following a strong start at Moroccan club MAS Fes, and Thakasani Mbanjwa secured a place in goal for Golden Arrows. Boitumelo Radiopane and Nqaba Xulu also gained recognition for attacking roles.
The omissions of Yanela Mbuthuma and Shandre Campbell reflect dips in form since the previous international window.
Places in the national setup remain open to competition rather than guaranteed.
Analysts Evaluate Large Roster
Football analyst Brighton Ncube told Briefly News that an extended squad gives the technical team room to evaluate different player combinations before narrowing down the group.
The 38-player selection shows that Mosimane is keeping his options open. At this stage, he needs to look at more than individual talent. He has to consider current form, fitness, tactical suitability and how different players complement one another. A preliminary squad is an opportunity to assess those factors before making the final decisions.
Brighton Ncube, football analyst via Briefly News
Ncube noted that heavy representation from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates shows the prominence of South Africa's leading clubs, though he cautioned against evaluating the roster purely by club tallies.
Mbokazi and Mbatha Return from Injury
Chicago Fire centre-back Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Orlando Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha missed the previous camp against Guinea, Eritrea, and Egypt due to injuries.
Mbokazi made his official comeback on 27 September by playing a full match in a 1-0 away victory against Charlotte FC after being sidelined for nearly three months with a thigh tear and surgery. South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan hailed the defender's recovery as a welcome challenge for the coaching staff.
We hope that Mbokazi will be fit and will be back [in the national team]. I think it will give coach Pitso [Mosimane] a good problem, that he has many high-quality defenders, which now will include Mbokazi as well as other players who were injured and are returning to full fitness.
Danny Jordaan, SAFA president via FARPost ZA
Bafana Bafana Face Kenya
South Africa leads Group D with six points from two matches, following a 2-1 win against Guinea in Johannesburg and a 5-0 victory against Eritrea in Egypt, alongside a 1-0 friendly win over Egypt in Cairo. Kenya sits third in the group with one point.
The two sides meet in a back-to-back qualifying double-header. Bafana Bafana will host Kenya, coached by former South African international Benni McCarthy, at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg on Friday, 13 November 2026, with kickoff at 6:00pm. Tickets are available through Ticketpro at R100 for adults and R40 for children aged 5 to 12, with child tickets requiring at least one accompanying adult purchase. The team will then travel to Nairobi for the second fixture on Tuesday, 17 November 2026.