Fresh blood, familiar spine: Mosimane names 30-man Bafana squad for Afcon qualifiers

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has named his final 30-man squad for South Africa’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, retaining the core of the team that competed at the recent FIFA World Cupp.

Mosimane initially selected a preliminary group of 35 players two weeks ago but has now trimmed that number ahead of the matches that will mark the beginning of his second spell as permanent national team coach.

South Africa have been drawn in Group D alongside Guinea, Eritrea and Kenya, with the first two qualifiers arriving in quick succession later this month.

Bafana host Guinea at Orlando Stadium on 26 September before travelling to Eritrea on 30 September.

The upcoming Afcon, scheduled from 19 June to 17 July 2027, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

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Mosimane’s side will then turn their attention to an international friendly against African heavyweights Egypt, a fixture the experienced coach believes will provide another important examination during his first camp back in charge.

“We have reduced the [squad from] 35 to 30 players, not an easy thing to do,” Mosimane stated.

“We had to do our homework, who we called, why we called. But you must also understand why we couldn’t call all the players.”

With qualification points on the line against Guinea and Eritrea, Mosimane acknowledged those matches will naturally take priority.

However, the former Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly coach is equally enthusiastic about testing his team against Egypt.

“Two qualifiers, one friendly. Everyone understands the importance of the qualifiers. But Egypt are also a big gun. It’s important to face the big guns.”

Mosimane has resisted the