Pitso Mosimane Questioned Over Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns Stars in Bafana Bafana Squad

• Former Kaizer Chiefs winger Junior Khanye publicly challenged Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane over two squad selections for the upcoming AFCON qualifier
• Khanye raised doubts about Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma, who has been inconsistent since joining from Richards Bay this season
• Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane's lack of regular club football also drew scrutiny from the outspoken football commentator

Junior Khanye, the former Kaizer Chiefs winger turned football commentator, has publicly questioned Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane's decision to include Orlando Pirates striker Yanela Mbuthuma and Mamelodi Sundowns captain Themba Zwane in the national squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

South Africa are set to host Guinea on 26 September at the Orlando Stadium before travelling to face Eritrea four days later.

Khanye's concerns over Mbuthuma and Zwane

Khanye directed his remarks at Mosimane during an appearance on Metro FM, questioning the rationale behind both selections. Mbuthuma, who moved to Orlando Pirates from Richards Bay at the start of the 2025/26 season, endured a difficult start to life at his new club. He has since shown improvement, contributing two goals and two assists across nine appearances in all competitions, but Khanye remains unconvinced the striker has done enough to merit a national call-up.

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"The bringing of the likes of Mbuthuma, me, I don't understand. I love coach Pitso, and I love his identity. The way his team plays, I love him," Khanye said.

Zwane, widely known by his nickname Mshishi, drew equal scrutiny. The Sundowns skipper has struggled for consistent game time at club level this season, and Khanye argued that selecting a player not featuring regularly for his club contradicts the coach's stated selection philosophy

"So, coach Pitso is bringing Mbuthuma; I don't understand why; that's why many people will ask questions. I love Themba Mshishi. He's done well for himself individually, but it's unnecessary for me. He's not playing for Sundowns," Khanye said.

Khanye: "It doesn't make sense"

Khanye acknowledged that Mosimane and Zwane share a longstanding professional relationship, but insisted personal history should not outweigh current form when national squad decisions are made.

"You're bringing him in for what? I don't understand. I know they've got a good relationship they come a long way with coach Pitso and Mshishi. But currently, you're saying you're judging players based on their current performance, and then Mshishi where's he going? He's not even playing at Sundowns regularly. So, it doesn't make sense as well," Khanye concluded.

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Mosimane had not publicly responded to Khanye's comments at the time of this report. Bafana Bafana's AFCON qualifying campaign continues with the Guinea fixture at the end of September.

Source: Briefly News