Pitso Mosimane, the newly reappointed head coach of South Africa's national soccer team, Bafana Bafana, has announced his 30-man squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Mosimane's first matches in charge will be against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 26, followed by a match against Eritrea in Egypt on September 30, and a friendly against Egypt on October 4. The coach has explained the omission of striker Lyle Foster from his squad, citing the player's lack of regular game time.
Lyle Foster, who recently moved from Burnley to Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer on loan until June 2027, was not selected for the upcoming fixtures. Mosimane revealed that he spoke to Foster personally before deciding against selecting him. According to Mosimane, Foster has not been playing regularly and has not been included in the team sheet for his new club. The coach emphasized that his priority is having players who are actively playing and can contribute immediately during the international window.
Mosimane's squad includes several new faces, with Puso Dithejane and Shandre Campbell among the youngsters earning their first call-ups under the returning coach. Dithejane has been rewarded for his performances with Chicago Fire, while Campbell has continued his development in Belgium with KV Kortrijk. Their inclusion reflects Mosimane's desire to introduce younger players while maintaining a core of established Bafana internationals.
The upcoming fixtures will provide the youngsters with an early opportunity to make an impression, while Foster will now look to use his move to MLS to rebuild his form and force his way back into Mosimane's plans. Mosimane is particularly interested in seeing how the younger players respond to the opportunity of joining a squad that includes a sizeable number of players who represented South Africa at the 2026 World Cup.
Mosimane's squad blends World Cup veterans, returning fringe players, and exciting European exports for the upcoming qualifiers and friendlies. The coach has a challenging task ahead of him as he aims to lead South Africa to major tournaments, starting with the Afcon qualifiers. The team's performance in the upcoming matches will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
The omission of Lyle Foster has raised questions about the team's attacking options, but Mosimane is confident in his squad's abilities. The coach has expressed his excitement about working with the new players and seeing how they respond to the opportunity of playing for Bafana Bafana. The team's friendly against Egypt on October 4 will provide a tough test for the squad.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign is a crucial one for Bafana Bafana, and Mosimane will be looking to make a strong start. The team's matches against Guinea and Eritrea will be important in determining their chances of qualifying for the tournament. Mosimane's experience and expertise will be key in guiding the team through this challenging period.
Key points
- Pitso Mosimane explains Lyle Foster's omission from his first Bafana Bafana squad due to lack of regular game time.
- Mosimane's squad includes several new faces, with Puso Dithejane and Shandre Campbell among the youngsters earning their first call-ups.
- Bafana Bafana will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 26.
