Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane is set to make significant changes to his team for the friendly match against Egypt at Cairo International Stadium tonight. The highly anticipated match presents an opportunity for Mosimane to give game time to new players, including Shandre Campbell and Puso Dithejane. Campbell, who plays for Belgian Pro League side KV Kortrijk, and Dithejane, from MLS side Chicago Fire, were spectators during the recent 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier wins over Guinea and Eritrea.
Campbell and Dithejane have been in good form for their clubs, and Mosimane has rewarded them with places in the squad to increase depth as he looks beyond next year’s Afcon in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The duo will be part of a younger group of players Mosimane will rely on after the Afcon in East Africa, including Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya, Lebone Seema, Khulumane Ndamane, Samukele Kabini, Relebohile Mofokeng and Thapelo Maseko.
Players expected to feature against Egypt include Nkosinathi Sibisi, Fawaaz Basadien, Khulumani Ndamane, Thabang Matuludi, Thapelo Morena, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Tashreeq Matthews, Tshepang Moremi, Yanela Mbuthuma, Luther Singh and Cassius Mailula. Mosimane's team has been on a long camp, but central defender Ime Okon said they have adjusted well, adding that the fact that they are winning matches makes it easier.
Okon expressed delight at Bafana breaking into the top 50 bracket on the Fifa rankings, saying it is motivating to see the team moving up the rankings. He added that the team is excited to play against Egypt and show what they are all about, describing the match as a challenge against one of the biggest teams in Africa.
Mosimane recently spoke about maintaining good relationships with clubs, and resting some players who played most of the minutes against Guinea and Eritrea would be welcomed by coaches. The MTN8 final between Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday at Moses Mabhida Stadium is a significant concern, with players expected to return to the country by Tuesday.
Coaches Abdeslam Ouaddou and Miguel Cardoso would be happy to see some of their players rested, especially with key players like Teboho Mokoena, Aubrey Modiba and Bathusi Aubaas picking up injuries and being doubts for the final. However, Cardoso would probably not mind seeing Morena, Basadien, Matthews and Mailula play against Egypt.
The friendly match against Egypt also presents an opportunity for players like Mbokazi and Evidence Makgopa to get in contention for the Afcon qualifying action against Kenya in back-to-back matches in November. Mosimane has also been following the U23 side, who kicked off their 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games preparations with a 3-1 win over Algeria, and expressed happiness with the prospects.
Key points
- Mosimane to make wholesale changes for Bafana's friendly against Egypt.
- Campbell and Dithejane set to make their debut for Bafana Bafana.
- Bafana Bafana breaks into top 50 bracket on Fifa rankings.
