Mosimane's First Bafana Bafana Call: 35-Man Squad for AFCON

Pitso Mosimane has wasted no time stamping his authority on Bafana Bafana.

Just days after taking the national team job, he has unveiled a 35-man preliminary squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea – his first official selection in charge.

Pamoja opener at home

South Africa will launch their Pamoja tournament campaign with a home clash against Guinea on 26 September. The competition is jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, but Bafana open on familiar soil before hitting the road.

After Guinea, Mosimane’s side travel to face Eritrea away. Eritrea, however, will not play on home turf: they are set to host the match in Egypt because they do not have a stadium that meets the required standards in their own country.

Two games. One new era. Little margin for error.

Injury blows to Broos core

Mosimane’s first squad comes with some enforced change.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Khuliso Mudau, Thalente Mbatha and Evidence Makgopa are all missing, ruled out through injury. All four formed part of the core group relied upon by former coach Hugo Broos during the 2026 World Cup campaign.

Their absence rips out a chunk of continuity from a team that had begun to settle. Mosimane has had to look elsewhere.

Fresh faces, second chances

The door has swung open for a number of new and returning names.

Lebone Seema, Tshepo Mashilane, Jemran Dansin, Yanela Mutuma, Cassius Mailula, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Ronaldo van Niel, Luther Singh and Shandre Campbell all feature among the notable inclusions in the extended list.

The shake-up does not end there. Brooklyn Poggenpoel and Lebohang Maboe, both overlooked for the final World Cup squad under Broos, have been handed another shot in this preliminary group. For them, it is a chance to rewrite recent history under a coach renowned for demanding standards but also for backing players who respond.

Spine of experience stays put

Despite the new blood, Mosimane has not torn everything up.

He has kept a strong core of established figures: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Tapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Relebohile Mofokeng and Themba Zwane all retain their places.

That blend tells its own story. Mosimane is clearly building on the platform left by Broos, not discarding it. The experienced spine remains in place, surrounded by hungry contenders fighting to turn a preliminary nod into a permanent spot.

The list is only a first draft of his Bafana Bafana, but with AFCON qualification on the line and September looming, how quickly can Mosimane turn this 35-man canvas into a ruthless, winning unit?