Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has named his second preliminary group, and it sends a clear message. Players get picked on form, not on who they know. The latest pitso mosimane south africa squad has several fresh faces, a few notable omissions and one big injury return. For fans who feared a return to old habits, it is a simple and welcome sign.
Why people were worried
When Mosimane came back as national coach at the start of September, not everyone cheered. Some supporters and analysts feared his close ties to local club football would open the door to outside pressure.
Their worry grew after his predecessor, Hugo Broos, spoke to a Belgian newspaper. Broos suggested that club owners and agents would try to influence selection again. He said he had shut those calls down during his own time in charge.
Those fears were understandable. Past Bafana coaches have also complained about such pressure. Still, there was no proof that Mosimane would give in to it. Judging him before he picked a single squad was never fair.
A strong start in the dugout
The results have helped him. Mosimane opened his tenure with Africa Cup of Nations qualifying wins over Guinea and Eritrea. He then beat Egypt in a friendly in early October.
Next up is a pair of qualifiers against Kenya, on 13 November and 17 November. The squad announced now is a preliminary one, so a final group will still be trimmed from it.
The momentum feels familiar. Broos also got off to a lively start, shaking up the group and lifting results early on. Mosimane seems to be borrowing from that playbook: keep everyone alert and let performances decide who plays.
The new faces and why they are here
Mosimane made several changes from his first list. Each one has an easy explanation. The table below sets it out.
| Player | Club | Reason for the call up |
|---|---|---|
| Mbekezeli Mbokazi | Chicago Fire | Returns after nearly two months out injured |
| Aden McCarthy | Sabah | Regular centre back in the UEFA Champions League |
| Boitumelo Radiopane | Orlando Pirates | Scoring freely at home |
| Nqaba Xulu | Richards Bay | Also in hot scoring form |
| Devin Titus | MAS Fes | Strong start to life in Morocco |
| Thalente Mbatha | Not stated | Back from injury |
| Luke le Roux | Cercle Brugge | Moved clubs after limited game time at Portsmouth |
| Nkosikhona Radebe | AmaZulu | Right back option from an in form side |
| Thakasani Mbanjwa | Golden Arrows | Rewarded for a strong start in goal |
Look closely and you will see no mystery here. Strikers who score get a look. A centre back who performs in European competition earns respect. A goalkeeper who starts the season well is rewarded.
Who missed out
The omissions say just as much as the call ups. Yanela Mbuthuma and Shandre Campbell are not in the group. Both have had dips in form and fortune at club level since the last international break.
Both had been handed chances after being mostly overlooked by Broos. Dropping them shows Mosimane will not protect players simply because he once backed them. That is exactly the kind of fearless selection many fans wanted to see.
Competition for places is back
Broos led Bafana to third place at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, held in early 2024. He then took the team to the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup. Only Clive Barker can really sit alongside him among the most successful Bafana coaches.
Even so, his squads grew predictable over time. The back line was fairly settled, with Ronwen Williams, Aubrey Modiba, Mbokazi, Ime Okon and Khuliso Mudau in key spots. In midfield, Teboho Mokoena and Sphephelo Sithole were close to automatic.
Mosimane has reopened the contest. Brooklyn Poggenpoel keeps his place after impressing in midfield last time. Up front, Lyle Foster is back in the preliminary group for a second time. He was left out of the final group last time while moving from Burnley to Houston Dynamo on loan and settling in.
In defence, Fawaaz Basadien, Olwethu Makhanya and McCarthy are all in the mix. Mudau remains the likely first choice at right back once he is fully fit again. Even so, having Radebe and others ready is smart planning.
How Mosimane handled the Broos comments
Mosimane did not fire back at his predecessor. He refused to be drawn into a war of words over anything that was not about the pitch. He even praised the work Broos did with the national team.
That calm approach fits the simple message he keeps sending. He wants the focus on football, not on noise.
What the latest pitso mosimane south africa squad tells us
His first spell as Bafana boss did not work out. This time the South African Football Association (SAFA) gave him a second chance, and early signs suggest the decision is paying off. You can follow official announcements on the SAFA website.
Of course, two months is a short time. We cannot know every conversation that has happened between a coach, club owners and agents. What we can see is the selection itself. It looks merit based, and that is what counts.
The real test comes when results turn. Every coach faces criticism after a bad night. If Mosimane keeps picking on form even then, the favouritism talk will fade away for good.
What comes next
The Kenya games are important for the qualifying campaign. Fans who want to check fixtures and tournament details can look at the Confederation of African Football site.
For now, the mood around the team is positive. Veterans are being pushed by hungry newcomers. Players based overseas are getting credit for their efforts. Local players on good form are also being rewarded.
It is an easy formula to understand, and it works. Play well, and you get your chance. If Mosimane sticks to it, Bafana fans may have a lot to look forward to.
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