Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane faces an important selection decision ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Kenya, with two of his central defenders just one yellow card away from suspension.
South Africa host Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00. The match will be followed by the return fixture in Kenya on Tuesday, 17 November, which is also set to begin at 18:00 South African time.
Makhanya and Okon Walking a Disciplinary Tightrope
Bafana Bafana defenders Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon are at risk of missing the return leg after collecting yellow cards in previous AFCON qualifying matches.
Okon received a booking in the 44th minute of South Africa’s 2-1 victory over Guinea at Orlando Amstel Arena in September.
Makhanya also went into the referee’s book during Bafana Bafana’s emphatic 5-0 win over Eritrea, which was Mosimane’s second match since returning to the national team coaching position.
Both players are now one booking away from an automatic one-match suspension.
Under CAF’s AFCON qualifying regulations, a player who accumulates two yellow cards during the qualification campaign must serve a one-match suspension.
This means that if either Makhanya or Okon is booked against Kenya on Friday, they will be unavailable for Tuesday’s return fixture.
Mosimane Faces a Difficult Defensive Decision
The situation presents Mosimane with a selection dilemma. The coach must decide whether to start both defenders and risk losing one or both for the second encounter, or make changes to protect his defensive options.
With two important matches against Kenya coming within a few days, squad management and discipline could play a significant role in determining South Africa’s results.
However, accumulated yellow cards from the AFCON qualifying campaign will not carry over into the tournament itself. The immediate concern for Bafana Bafana is ensuring that key players remain available for the two-legged encounter against Kenya.
Mosimane will therefore need to weigh defensive stability against the risk of suspension as South Africa look to strengthen their position in the qualification campaign.
Should Pitso Mosimane start both Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon against Kenya, or should he protect them from suspension?
