Bafana Bafana Open Training Camp in Johannesburg Ahead of 2027 AFCON Qualifiers
- Pitso Mosimane's squad has begun assembling in Johannesburg as Bafana Bafana prepare for a crucial double-header
- South Africa face two back-to-back AFCON qualifier matches within days of each other in late September
- A 30-man squad has been named for the upcoming fixtures, with several overseas-based players expected to join the camp
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Twitter
SOUTH AFRICA — Bafana Bafana players have started arriving at a training camp in Johannesburg as the national side gears up for their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixtures later this month.
Overseas-based players were due to join the rest of the group on Monday evening, 21 September 2026, completing the squad's assembly under head coach Pitso Mosimane.
Bafana Bafana's September fixtures
South Africa's first qualifier takes place at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, 26 September, when they host Guinea at 15:00. Four days later, on Wednesday, 30 September, the team travels to Cairo to face Eritrea at Al-Salam Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
Both matches fall in Group D of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. The squad will also face Egypt in an international friendly at Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, 4 October, at 20:00. Fixture details have been confirmed by the South African Football Association (SAFA).
Pitso Mosimane names a 30-man squad
Mosimane trimmed his initial 35-man selection to a final 30-man squad for the September-October international window. The starting eleven for the Guinea match is expected later in the week.
Speaking on his selection philosophy as cited by SAFA, Mosimane said:
"We select [based] on form, we select on experience, and we select on availability and the impact of injuries."
The coach has largely retained the core group that represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while introducing several new faces and navigating a number of injury absences.
The 30-man squad includes three goalkeepers — Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, and Ricardo Goss — with Mamelodi Sundowns providing the bulk of the outfield players. Among those named are defenders Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, and Khulumani Ndamane, alongside overseas-based players such as Samukele Kabini (Molde FK), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers FC), and Ime Okon (Hannover 96).
The midfield features Teboho Mokoena, Lebohang Maboe, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, and Brooklyn Poggenpoel, while forwards include Iqraam Rayners, Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise), Thapelo Maseko (FC Copenhagen), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire), and Shandre Campbell (KV Kortrijk).
South Africa's AFCON qualifying ambitions
The 2027 AFCON will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. South Africa's qualification campaign opens with consecutive home and away fixtures, making the September window a significant early test for Mosimane's tenure as national coach.
Mosimane completes Bafana Bafana technical team
Briefly News previously reported that Pitso Mosimane has now added another familiar face to his setup, with Marcus Mashilo joining as goalkeeper coach.
The appointment comes just days before Bafana begin their qualifying campaign at Orlando Stadium, with the new technical team now preparing for a demanding international window.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay informed and follow us on Google News!
Source: Briefly News
