Newly appointed Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has found himself at the centre of a heated debate after naming a squad for the upcoming 2027 AFCON qualifiers that leans heavily on players from his former club, Mamelodi Sundowns. The 35-man preliminary squad, which will do duty against Guinea on 26 September at Orlando Stadium, Eritrea on 30 September in Cairo, and Egypt in a friendly on 4 October, includes 16 players from the Brazilians, a dominance that has raised eyebrows among rival fans, particularly those of Orlando Pirates.
The squad also features a recall for veteran midfielder Themba Zwane, whom Mosimane praised for his “aura” and leadership qualities. The comment drew light-hearted jokes on social media about selecting players for aura over form, with some questioning whether sentimentality had influenced the coach’s decisions. However, Mosimane defended his selections, insisting that they were based on form, quality, and experience, and noting that Zwane is one of several captains in the squad.
“People will always have opinions, but I picked players who can do the job,” Mosimane said. “Themba brings experience and calmness. He has an aura about him that lifts those around him. That is not sentiment, that is leadership.”
Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso offered his full support to Mosimane, praising the national team’s decision to rely on players who have consistently performed at the highest level domestically and on the continent. “These players are winners,” Cardoso said. “They know how to compete, and they will represent South Africa with pride.”
The debate over club bias is not new in South African football, with coaches historically facing accusations of favouring players from their former teams. Mosimane, however, has urged fans to rally behind the national team as it embarks on a crucial qualifying campaign.
As Bafana Bafana prepare for their opener at Orlando Stadium, all eyes will be on Mosimane and his Sundowns-heavy squad. If the team delivers results, the debate will fade. If not, the questions will only grow louder. For now, the coach is backing his selections, and his aura.
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