by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu

Newly appointed Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has wasted little time in making his mark, announcing his first South African senior men’s national team squad just days after taking charge.

Mosimane, who replaced Belgian coach Hugo Broos on Tuesday, has moved swiftly as South Africa prepares for its 2027 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign later this month.

Bafana Bafana will begin their qualifiers at home against Guinea on Saturday, 26 September 2026, before travelling to face Eritrea in their second group match on Wednesday, 30 September. The national side will then remain on the road for an international friendly against Egypt on 4 October.

The bulk of the squad has been retained from the group that represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where Bafana Bafana reached the second round. However, injuries to several World Cup players have led to notable absentees from the preliminary list. The fixtures will also mark the team’s first matches since the death of Jayden Adams, who was laid to rest in Stellenbosch in July.

Mosimane has also opened the door for a number of younger players who could feature in Raymond Mdaka’s South African Under-23 squad, expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The two coaches and the wider technical team are understood to be working closely as they map out the next phase of South African football.

SAFA is expected to release further details on its official website, www.safa.net, as preparations continue. Mosimane will confirm his final squad in the coming days before Bafana Bafana assemble for camp ahead of the AFCON qualifiers.