Mbekezeli Mbokazi headlines the list of returning players in Bafana Bafana’s 38-member preliminary squad for next month’s crucial back-to-back 2027 Afcon qualifiers against co-hosts Kenya.
Mbokazi missed Bafana's opening two qualifiers – a 2-1 victory over Guinea and a 5-0 win against Eritrea – which propelled South Africa to the top of Group D due to an injury.
The defender is not the only fresh addition to the backline relative to the previous squad, as coach Pitso Mosimane has added a few rookies to the Bafana mix.
Mbokazi is joined by goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa, Nkosikhona Radebe, and Aden McCarthy, who has made a seamless transition at Azerbaijani side Sabah FK, recently scoring his maiden UEFA Champions League goal in a 2-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
In midfield, Thalente Mbatha also returns to the national setup after missing the previous camp through injury. He is joined by Luke Le Roux and Lebohang Maboe, who also earns a call-up after injury forced his early withdrawal from the last squad.
Mosimane has opted for a tried-and-tested attacking line, handing call-ups to Devin Titus, Lyle Foster, Boitumelo Radiopane, and Nqaba Xulu.
Foster notably returns after missing out on the last camp due to limited game time, having recently opened his goal-scoring account for Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer.
Bafana will host the Benni McCarthy-led Harambee Stars at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, November 13, at 6pm, before traveling to Nairobi for the return fixture on Tuesday, November 17.
A clean sweep of maximum points from both fixtures would put Mosimane’s side firmly on track to secure qualification for the continental showpiece, which is set to be co-hosted across the Pamoja region by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania next year.
Mosimane is expected to name the final squad early next month.