Pitso Mosimane could face a selection headache ahead of Bafana Bafana’s crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Kenya, with nine overseas-based players expected to travel to South Africa for national team duty.
The South African internationals are spread across Europe and the United States, meaning some could arrive in camp with limited time to prepare for the opening encounter against the Harambee Stars.
With the first match scheduled for 13 November, travel fatigue and the timing of club commitments could become important considerations for Mosimane.
Nine overseas players included in Mosimane’s squad
Mosimane announced his final Bafana Bafana squad on Thursday, 5 November, naming nine players currently playing their football outside South Africa.
The overseas contingent includes:
- Samukele Kabini – Molde FK, Norway
- Olwethu Makhanya – Rangers FC, Scotland
- Ime Okon – Hannover 96, Germany
- Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Chicago Fire, USA
- Sphephelo Sithole – Tondela, Portugal
- Lyle Foster – Houston Dynamo, USA
- Puso Dithejane – Chicago Fire, USA
- Relebohile Mofokeng – Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium
- Luther Singh – AEL Limassol, Cyprus
These players will be expected to bring valuable international and overseas experience to a Bafana side looking to maintain its strong position in the qualifying campaign.
Travel schedules could complicate preparations
One of Mosimane’s biggest challenges could be getting the overseas-based players together in time for the first match.
Some of the players still have club commitments shortly before the international break, potentially leaving them with limited time to travel, recover and settle into the national team setup.
Houston Dynamo, where Lyle Foster plays, are scheduled to conclude their MLS regular-season campaign on 8 November. Depending on his release arrangements and travel schedule, the forward could arrive in South Africa only a few days before the Kenya match.
Relebohile Mofokeng also has club commitments in Belgium, with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise scheduled to play on Sunday. His involvement with the Belgian side could further affect his arrival time.
The situation raises questions about how much preparation time the overseas contingent will have before facing Kenya.
Could Mosimane rotate his Bafana Bafana team?
With a demanding international schedule ahead, Mosimane may have to carefully manage his players’ workloads.
Long-distance travel, recovery time and limited training opportunities could influence his final team selection, particularly for the opening fixture.
However, the overseas players remain important members of the squad, and their experience could prove valuable as South Africa targets maximum points from the two encounters.
A training camp is reportedly being planned, although official details about its arrangements have not yet been confirmed.
Kenya qualifiers: Bafana face two important tests
South Africa will meet Kenya twice in November as the race for qualification to the 2027 AFCON continues.
The first encounter is scheduled to take place at Orlando Stadium on 13 November, with kick-off set for 18:00.
The teams will then meet again in Kenya on 17 November, although the return-leg venue and kick-off time had not been confirmed in the source report.
Kenya have already secured qualification for the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts. That leaves the remaining qualification position in the group as an important target for the other competing teams.
Bafana Bafana will therefore be aiming to make their advantage count, despite the possible challenges surrounding player travel and preparation.
The big question is whether Mosimane’s overseas-based stars will be fully ready for the first meeting with Kenya.
