Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane presents list of 30 national team players

It is reported that the Safa team is close to signing Arthur Zwein as Pitso Mosimane's second assistant in the 'Bafana Bafana' national team.

Mosimane took over the team leadership at the beginning of this month, replacing Hugo Bruus. He quickly brought on board trusted staff members Musi Matlaba and Kabelo Rangoa, who will continue to share their experience as analyst and physical fitness coach, respectively.

The former 'Mamelodi Sundowns' coach further strengthened his technical team by appointing Moren Ramoreboli as his first assistant after he left the position of head coach of the Botswana national team.

News emerging this week indicates that Zwein is ready to join Mosimane's team on a part-time basis. According to available information, he will continue to lead the 'AmaZulu' team while fulfilling the duties of Mosimane's second assistant. Furthermore, he will oversee the work of the U23 youth team, helping integrate young players into the senior squad.

Zwein has experience working with youth. His impressive period at 'AmaZulu' was a result of nurturing young talents and helping them adapt to the high demands of professional football.

He began his coaching career in the youth structures of 'Kaizer Chiefs', where he played an important role in promoting young players who subsequently moved to Europe or became full members of the senior team.

If Zwein takes this position, he returns to the 'Bafana' squad, as he previously worked as an assistant to the current technical director Molefe Ntseki.

Much has changed since then—after Bruus qualified the team for two continental tournaments in a row and for the World Cup, where they historically reached the 32nd round. Therefore, Mosimane is under pressure to maintain this momentum.

Mosimane will begin his term with the CAF Confederation Cup qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 30, and four days later he will meet Eritrea at the neutral Al-Salam stadium in Cairo. Then 'Bafana' will conclude the international window with a friendly match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on October 4.

The era of the new Bafana Bafana national team under coach Pitso Mosimane is being shaped by a combination of continuity and fresh talent. The preliminary squad for the two qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea and Eritrea, as well as for a friendly match next month, includes both familiar and new faces.

Since the regular players have already demonstrated their individual and collective abilities, leading the team to the FIFA World Cup playoffs, attention is focused on what contribution newcomers and returning players can make if they make the final list.

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane announced the preliminary squad for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which will take place against Guinea and Eritrea this month. Additionally, South Africa will play a friendly away match against Egypt on October 4, 2026.

Yanela Mbutuma

Mbutuma is a forward capable of playing both in midfield and in attack. He knows how to hold the ball, create opportunities for teammates, and finish attacks in the penalty area. In the last two matches, he has shown great dynamism, helping the team with assists after counterattacks.

Cemran Dansin

Dansin is a creative midfielder who excels at finding open spaces, ensuring smooth play in the center of the pitch. He easily controls the pace of the match and possesses the ability to score goals, having won the 'Betway Premiership Goal of the Season' award last season.

Tshepo Mashiloane

Mashiloane confidently controls the ball and can move quickly down the flank as a left-back. He regularly occupies the right positions to support the attack and poses a threat from the air due to his height.

Puso Dithejane

Dithejane is an effective winger who moves easily up and down the flank. Having significantly improved his game with Chicago Fire this season, he skillfully delivers passes, finds the right zones, and is capable of both scoring and creating goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Shandre Campbell

Campbell, a naturally dynamic winger, has demonstrated an impeccable ability to beat defenders and score from distance, especially when entering the zone with his skillful left-footed shot. He also provides tactical flexibility as he can play in multiple positions.

Lebone Seema

Seema was named the Betway Premiership Defender of the Season last season. He was awarded for his ability to read the game, timely tackles, accurate diagonal passes, and providing defensive leadership.

Tashreeq Matthews

Matthews demonstrates a mature approach to the game. He runs between lines, accurately finds teammates, and has a talent for scoring goals. His lean physique makes him relatively fast both while in possession and out of it.

Ronaldo Van Neel

Van Neel is characterized by his speed and can easily outrun defenders, giving his teammates a wide range of attacking options. He also uses deceptive tricks that allow him to eliminate opponents and find open space.

Lebohang Maboe

Maboe is a midfield master. He serves as a vital link between defense and attack, using a precise range of passes both short and long. He recently scored his first goal of the season for Kaizer Chiefs, which should boost his confidence.

Luther Singh

Singh is a very dynamic player. He can operate in various attacking positions, making his strengths unpredictable for opponents. He shows a constant drive to score, which could be a valuable asset for the team.

Fawaaz Basadien

Basadien is an effective left-back. He is capable of advancing rapidly, and his flawless footwork allows him to connect passes. His ability to use open spaces also makes him dangerous in attack.

Cassius Mailula

Mailula is fantastic with the ball. He glides past defenders with incredible ease and brilliance, and he knows how to utilize open areas. He has an appetite for goals, as he can score both from close and long range.

Brooklyn Poggenpoel

Poggenpoel is good at holding the midfield. He controls the tempo of the game and can easily help in defense. Thanks to his skills in both attack and defense, he brings comfort to both the defensive and attacking lines.

Following a period of strong performances, winger Puso Dithdejane is being considered as a likely player in the upcoming 'Bafana Bafana' qualifiers for AFCON. Relebohile Mofokeng and Puso Dithdejane are finding their rhythm at opportune moments for their respective clubs—Royal Union Saint-Gilloise and Chicago Fire—ahead of the 'Bafana Bafana' qualifiers for AFCON 2027 against Guinea and Eritrea this month.

Mofokeng scored his second goal for 'Saint-Gilloise' in the 'Jupiler Pro League' championship during the team's 3-0 victory over 'Sint-Truidense VV' on Wednesday. He scored the third goal of the match with a magnificent strike from inside the penalty area.

This goal was Mofokeng's second in the Belgian league following his high-profile transfer from 'Orlando Pirates' after the 'Bafana Bafana' campaign at the FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the Round of 32.

Meanwhile, Dithdejane demonstrated impressive recovery with 'Chicago Fire' after the World Cup. On Wednesday, he received the club's player of the month award for July/August after scoring four goals and providing three assists in all tournaments.

Dithdejane's impressive form comes at a critical time as 'Bafana' begins a new era under coach Pitso Mosimane before the continental tournament qualifiers in the Pamoda region. Mosimane needs every fit player, especially considering that four regular players—Talente Mbata, Evidens Macgopa, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, and Huliso Mudau—are on the injury list.

Furthermore, the stability of 'Bafana's' defense must be further bolstered by the fact that goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is in excellent form, recently making a match-winning performance when 'Mamelodi Sundowns' defeated 'Milford' 2-0 on Wednesday evening.

Given these circumstances, it is crucial that the attacking line complements the team's defensive strength. Therefore, Mofokeng and Dithdejane must maintain their impressive club form ahead of the upcoming international break.