With just one Kaizer Chiefs player named in Pitso Mosimane’s preliminary Bafana Bafana squad, questions are emerging about whether Amakhosi’s disappointing season is affecting their players’ international chances.
Kaizer Chiefs’ struggles this season could be having consequences beyond the club’s pursuit of silverware, with their limited representation in Pitso Mosimane’s latest Bafana Bafana squad attracting attention.
When Mosimane announced his 38-man preliminary squad on 23 October for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya, only one Chiefs player made the selection.
By comparison, Mamelodi Sundowns dominated the list, raising questions about the balance of selections and whether current club performances are influencing the national team coach’s decisions.
Sundowns dominate Mosimane’s Bafana squad
According to the squad announcement published by the South African Football Association (SAFA), Sundowns contributed 13 players to the preliminary selection.
The Chloorkop club had the strongest representation across the squad, while an equal number of players came from clubs outside South Africa.
Orlando Pirates were next among the domestic clubs, supplying seven players.
Chiefs had just one representative, matching the number of call-ups received by Golden Arrows, AmaZulu, Durban City and Richards Bay.
The inclusion of former Sundowns midfielder Lebohang Maboe also attracted attention, particularly because of his previous working relationship with Mosimane.
However, the coach has pushed back against suggestions that personal relationships influenced his decisions.
As reported by Africa Soccer, Mosimane admitted that he was surprised by Sundowns’ strong representation but remained confident in his choices.
“I’m not here to shake the tree. People can ask those questions about why they’re all at the same team,” he said.
Mosimane prioritises continuity
Mosimane’s early selections have largely reflected his intention to maintain continuity with the group that represented South Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Rather than immediately rebuilding the squad, the coach appears keen to retain an established core while gradually assessing other players.
Some of his selections have nevertheless attracted debate.
Junior Khanye previously questioned the inclusion of Themba Zwane and Yanela Mbuthuma, arguing that players should be judged on their current performances and regular involvement at club level.
Khanye raised concerns about Zwane’s limited game time at Sundowns and questioned whether the selection criteria were being applied consistently.
Mbuthuma has since been left out of the squad for the upcoming home and away fixtures against Kenya.
The debate highlights the challenge facing Mosimane as he attempts to balance established national-team players with footballers currently performing well for their clubs.
Are Kaizer Chiefs’ performances hurting their players?
Chiefs’ limited representation is difficult to separate from the club’s disappointing results this season.
At the time covered by the original report, Amakhosi were fifth in the Betway Premiership standings, having collected just three wins from nine matches.
Their campaign has also suffered setbacks in cup competitions. They were eliminated from the MTN8 by Golden Arrows and subsequently exited the CAF Confederation Cup after losing a penalty shootout against Zambia’s Red Arrows.
Those results have increased the pressure on the team and its technical department, with questions also being raised about coach Fernando da Cruz’s future.
The Soweto Derby defeat to Orlando Pirates on 31 October added to the scrutiny. Chiefs lost 2-1, and Da Cruz pointed to the difference in experience between the two teams when discussing the club’s challenges.
He stressed that building a competitive side would take time, with players needing more matches and experience to develop.
His comments suggest that Chiefs are still working towards consistency, something that could also affect the visibility and competitiveness of their players when national-team selections are considered.
Should Chiefs supporters question Mosimane’s choices?
There is a reasonable argument that players from teams struggling for consistency may find it harder to make a strong case for international selection.
However, club form is not the only consideration when choosing a national squad. Individual performances, tactical suitability, experience, fitness and the coach’s preferred playing system can all influence the final decision.
Mosimane’s selection of 13 Sundowns players may raise eyebrows, but it does not automatically mean Chiefs players have been unfairly overlooked.
For Amakhosi, the bigger challenge may be improving their performances and giving their leading players a stronger platform to earn national-team recognition.
Do you believe Kaizer Chiefs’ poor form is costing their players Bafana Bafana places, or should Pitso Mosimane be giving Amakhosi more representation? Share your opinion.
