Kaizer Chiefs legend Doctor Khumalo has urged Orlando Pirates midfielder Cemran Dansin to remain focused and continue working hard after missing out on the final Bafana Bafana squad.
Dansin, 21, was included in new Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane’s preliminary squad for the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers but did not make the final selection.
Rather than viewing the omission as a setback, Khumalo believes Dansin should take encouragement from the fact that he was considered for the provisional squad in the first place.
Speaking on The DNA Podcast, the former Chiefs midfielder said being included in the preliminary squad showed that Dansin remains part of the national team’s plans.
“Preliminary, it’s a hope that ‘oh, I was selected’,” Khumalo said.
He added that Dansin should not interpret his absence from the final squad as being completely out of contention.
Khumalo also pointed to Mosimane’s apparent focus on developing younger players, suggesting that Dansin’s inclusion in the preliminary group was significant.
“Pitso is talking to us to say these are youngsters that we need to groom,” Khumalo said.
The message comes as Dansin continues to develop at Orlando Pirates. The midfielder is a product of the club’s development system and has progressed into the first-team setup. Orlando Pirates lists him as an academy graduate and emerging talent.
Dansin was also involved in Pirates’ pre-season preparations for the 2026/27 campaign, featuring in the club’s friendly against Las Palmas.
For the young midfielder, the latest Bafana experience could therefore serve as another step in his development rather than the end of his international ambitions.
Should Cemran Dansin start more games for Orlando Pirates?
With Dansin continuing to develop at senior level, attention will now turn to his role at club level.
The 21-year-old has shown enough to earn consideration for the national setup, but regular first-team opportunities could be important for his continued progression.
Should Orlando Pirates give Dansin more starts this season?
