JOHANNESBURG — A defining chapter in South African football has officially begun. Following the departure of Belgian tactician Hugo Broos, Pitso Mosimane has returned to the Bafana Bafana dugout, instantly raising expectations as South Africa prepares to launch its qualifying campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mosimane wasted no time stamping his mark on the technical setup, bringing in former Botswana national team head coach Morena Ramoreboli as his primary assistant. Ramoreboli, who previously guided Bafana to the 2021 COSAFA Cup title, adds proven tactical acumen and deep continental experience alongside “Jingles”.
Together, the duo unveiled an expansive 35-man preliminary squad blending tournament experience with in-form domestic and diaspora talent.
The Squad: Experience Meets New Energy
Mosimane’s preliminary selection preserves the squad’s core spine while rewarding club form and recalling talent previously left out of the fold:
- Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss.
- Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Khulumani Ndamane.
- Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Lebogang Maboe, Cemran Dansin, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel.
- Forwards / Wingers: 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.
Cyprus-based winger Luther Singh earns a long-awaited recall, while Cassius Mailula returns to bolster the attack. Breakthrough names such as Ronaldo van Neel (Golden Arrows), Yanela Mbuthuma (Orlando Pirates), and Cemran Dansin have earned opportunities to fight for a spot when Mosimane trims the roster down to a final 23-man matchday squad.
The Format & Group D: Zero Margin for Error
The road leads to East Africa, where Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will co-host the 2027 AFCON finals under the historic joint Pamoja banner from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
A total of 48 nations were split across 12 groups of four. Under standard qualifying rules, the top two finishers advance directly. However, South Africa’s placement in Group D creates a high-wire tactical scenario:
Group D Team | Qualifying Status |
South Africa 🇿🇦 | Top seed |
Guinea 🇬🇳 | Chief competitor (Syli Nationale) |
Kenya 🇰🇪 | Co-host (Pre-qualified) |
Eritrea 🇪🇷 | Preliminary round qualifier |
The Co-Host Twist: Because Kenya qualifies automatically as tournament co-hosts, their presence in Group D is non-competitive regarding qualification spots. Consequently, only one nation from Group D will punch their ticket to East Africa. This transforms the group into a straight, high-stakes shootout between South Africa and Guinea.
Match Schedule & Venues
Bafana Bafana begin their campaign under the lights in Soweto before traveling to Cairo for back-to-back fixtures, including a key neutral-venue clash against Eritrea:
Matchday / Event | Fixture | Date | Kickoff Window / Venue |
AFCON Qualifier (MD 1) | South Africa vs Guinea | Saturday, 26 September 2026 | Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg |
AFCON Qualifier (MD 2) | Eritrea vs South Africa | Wednesday, 30 September 2026 | Al-Salam Stadium, Cairo, Egypt |
International Friendly | Egypt vs South Africa | Sunday, 4 October 2026 | Cairo International Stadium, Cairo |
AFCON Qualifier (MD 3) | South Africa vs Kenya | 9–17 November 2026 | South Africa (Home) |
AFCON Qualifier (MD 4) | Kenya vs South Africa | 9–17 November 2026 | Kenya (Away) |
AFCON Qualifier (MD 5) | Guinea vs South Africa | 22–30 March 2027 | Guinea (Away) |
AFCON Qualifier (MD 6) | South Africa vs Eritrea | 22–30 March 2027 | South Africa (Home) |
With the opening test against Guinea at Orlando Stadium looming, Mosimane and Ramoreboli face immediate pressure: in a group where only the top team moves forward, dropped points at home are simply not an option.
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