LIVESCORES TREND BRIEF
Why Bafana Bafana are back in focus as Pitso Mosimane starts a new AFCON cycle
South African interest in Bafana Bafana has risen as Pitso Mosimane begins his first international window back in charge, with recalls for Cassius Mailula and Luther Singh, five new faces and 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea approaching.
Bafana Bafana are attracting renewed attention in South Africa as a new international cycle begins under Pitso Mosimane. The timing is significant: South Africa are preparing for two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, while Mosimane is also using his first window back in charge to bring several players into, or back into, the national set-up.
CAF reported that Mosimane trimmed his preliminary group to a 30-man squad for the qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, followed by a friendly against Egypt. South Africa host Guinea on 26 September, face Eritrea at a neutral venue in Cairo on 30 September, and then remain in Egypt for the friendly on 4 October.
Mailula and Singh return to the picture
Much of the immediate attention has centred on Cassius Mailula and Luther Singh. Both forwards are back in the national squad after spending time outside the regular Bafana group. SABC News reported that the pair had joined the camp and were pleased to be back in the set-up under Mosimane.
Mailula's return has also drawn wider coverage. News24 reported on the forward's route back into the national team, adding to the focus on a player who is now being given another opportunity at senior international level.
The recalls sit alongside a broader refresh. CAF listed five maiden call-ups in Mosimane's final squad: Lebone Seema, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Yanela Mbuthuma, Puso Dithejane and Tashreeq Matthews. At the same time, the coach has retained much of the group inherited from Hugo Broos, including established names such as captain Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Oswin Appollis and Iqraam Rayners.
Why Lyle Foster is missing
One notable absentee is Lyle Foster. Hollywoodbets Sports Blog reported that Mosimane linked Foster's omission to his lack of regular club football before his recent move to Houston. The coach said he had spoken directly to the striker and indicated that consistent minutes would be important for a return to the national team.
That decision provides useful context for Mosimane's first selection. The squad is not simply a clean break from the World Cup group, nor is it an unchanged continuation. It combines experienced internationals, returning players and newcomers while the coach begins assessing his options in competitive matches.
What happens next
The immediate priority is AFCON qualifying. Guinea and Eritrea are competitive fixtures, so Mosimane's first window carries consequences beyond experimentation. The Egypt friendly then offers an additional match in which the coaching staff can assess combinations and squad depth without qualification points at stake.
For supporters following Bafana Bafana this week, the main story is therefore bigger than a single recall or omission. It is the beginning of Mosimane's latest spell in charge, with qualification points available immediately and several players being given a fresh chance to establish themselves in the national team.