Pitso Mosimane names 38-player Bafana Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers against Benni’s Kenya

• Bafana Bafana have named 38 players ahead of their November 2026 AFCON qualifying double-header against Kenya
• Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates feature prominently in the preliminary selection
• The list includes South African-based players and footballers attached to overseas clubs

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has named a 38-player preliminary squad for South Africa’s November 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Kenya. The announcement was published on Friday, 23 October 2026, through the national team’s official X account.

The selection features players from the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and several overseas clubs. Kenya’s national team is coached by former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy, adding another connection between the two sides ahead of the double-header.

Sundowns and Orlando Pirates players feature prominently

Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have several representatives in the preliminary squad. Sundowns players include goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, midfielder Teboho Mokoena, forward Iqraam Rayners and experienced attacker Themba Zwane.

Pirates players named include Sipho Chaine, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thalente Mbatha, Oswin Appollis and Tshepang Moremi.

The selection also includes players based abroad, such as Lyle Foster of Houston Dynamo in the United States, Samukele Kabini of Molde in Norway and Ime Okon of Hannover 96 in Germany.

Overseas-based stars included in the selection

Relebohile Mofokeng, who is with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium, is among the forwards selected. Luke Le Roux, Luther Singh and Devin Titus also feature among the overseas-based contingent.

The preliminary selection provides an early indication of the players under consideration for the November fixtures.

Bafana Bafana’s November AFCON qualifying campaign

South Africa will face Kenya in a home-and-away qualifying double-header in November. The matches will pit Mosimane’s Bafana Bafana against a Kenyan side coached by former South African international Benni McCarthy.

Full list of Bafana Bafana’s 38 preliminary squad players

Goalkeepers

1. Ronwen Williams — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
2. Sipho Chaine — Orlando Pirates FC
3. Ricardo Goss — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
4. Thakasani Mbanjwa — Golden Arrows FC

Defenders

1. Aubrey Modiba — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
2. Samukele Kabini — FC Molde, Norway
3. Fawaaz Basadien — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
4. NkosiKhona Radebe — AmaZulu FC
5. Thapelo Morena — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
6. Thabang Matuludi — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
7. Olwethu Makhanya — Rangers FC, Scotland
8. Khulumani Ndamane — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
9. Ime Okon — Hannover 96, Germany
10. Lebone Seema — Orlando Pirates FC
11. Nkosinathi Sibisi — Orlando Pirates FC
12. Mbekezeili Mbokazi — Chicago Fire SC, USA
13. Aden McCarthy — Sabah FK

Midfielders

1. Teboho Mokoena — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
2. Lebohang Maboe — Kaizer Chiefs FC
3. Sphephelo Sithole — CD Tondela, Portugal
4. Bathusi Aubaas — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
5. Brooklyn Poggenpoel — Durban City FC
6. Thalente Mbatha — Orlando Pirates FC
7. Luke Le Roux — Cercle Brugge, Belgium

Forwards

1. Iqraam Rayners — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
2. Cassius Mailula — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
3. Oswin Appollis — Orlando Pirates FC
4. Tashreeq Matthews — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
5. Relebohile Mofokeng — Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium
6. Themba Zwane — Mamelodi Sundowns FC
7. Thapelo Maseko — FC Copenhagen, Denmark
8. Luther Singh — AEL Limassol, Cyprus
9. Devin Titus — Maghreb Fès, Morocco
10. Lyle Foster — Houston Dynamo, USA
11. Boitumelo Radiopane — Orlando Pirates FC
12. Nqaba Xulu — Richards Bay FC
13. Tshepang Moremi — Orlando Pirates FC
14. Puso Dithejane — Chicago Fire, USA

Why Pitso Mosimane chose part-time coaches for Bafana Bafana

Briefly News previously reported that Pitso Mosimane explained his decision to bring several local coaches into Bafana Bafana’s technical team on a part-time basis.

The coach said the arrangement would give South African coaches valuable international experience while allowing them to retain existing commitments.

Source: Briefly News

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