Mamelodi Sundowns winger Siyanda Ndlovu has received his first senior Bafana Bafana call-up after impressing with his performances in the 2026/27 season.
The 23-year-old attacker is among the notable inclusions in head coach Pitso Mosimane’s 27-man squad for South Africa’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying double-header against Kenya.
Mosimane has also made several adjustments to his selection as Bafana prepare for two important encounters that could bring them closer to securing qualification for next year’s continental tournament.
Siyanda Ndlovu Receives First Bafana Bafana Invitation
Ndlovu’s inclusion represents a significant milestone in his football career.
The young winger had been working towards a national team opportunity since his time at Golden Arrows, but his performances at Mamelodi Sundowns appear to have strengthened his case.
Since joining the Brazilians, the 23-year-old has demonstrated his attacking qualities, pace and ability to influence matches in the final third.
His numbers have also been encouraging. Ndlovu has registered three goals and three assists in 15 appearances across all competitions for Sundowns.
Those contributions have attracted the attention of Mosimane, who has now handed him an opportunity to prove himself at international level.
The call-up also gives Bafana another attacking option as they prepare for their upcoming qualifiers.
Mbekezeli Mbokazi Returns to Strengthen Defence
Another important development in Mosimane’s latest selection is the return of Mbekezeli Mbokazi.
The defender has been brought back into the squad after spending several months on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
His return provides Bafana with another defensive option ahead of the crucial fixtures against Kenya.
However, Mbokazi’s inclusion has come at the expense of Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi, who misses out on the latest squad.
Mosimane has otherwise retained much of the core group that featured in his first three matches as Bafana Bafana head coach.
Bafana Bafana Prepare for Two Important Kenya Encounters
South Africa will face Kenya twice in November as the teams continue their battle for AFCON qualification.
The first encounter will take place at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 13 November, before Bafana travel to face the same opponents on Tuesday, 17 November.
Collecting maximum points from the two matches would put South Africa in a strong position to secure their place at next year’s AFCON tournament in East Africa.
For Mosimane, the fixtures will also provide an opportunity to assess his squad depth and give emerging players such as Ndlovu a chance to establish themselves in the national team.
Ndlovu’s Call-Up Signals Competition for Bafana Places
Ndlovu’s first national team invitation is another reminder of the competition for places in the Bafana Bafana squad.
His performances at Sundowns have earned him an opportunity to compete alongside some of the country’s established international players.
With two important qualifiers approaching, attention will now turn to whether the young winger can translate his club form into performances at national team level.
For South African football supporters, his inclusion will be one of the interesting storylines to follow when Bafana take on Kenya.
Do you think Siyanda Ndlovu deserves his first Bafana Bafana call-up, and could he become an important player for South Africa?
