Pitso Mosimane will have a difficult decision to make when Bafana Bafana resume their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign in November, with Mbekezeli Mbokazi expected to return from injury.
Mbokazi missed South Africa’s opening two qualifiers but is becoming fitter as he works towards a return to full action. The defender has established himself as a regular starter for Bafana Bafana, yet the form of Time Okon and Olwethu Makhanya has given Mosimane another selection option.
South Africa will play Kenya, co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON, twice next month. The first meeting is scheduled for 13 November in South Africa, with the return fixture taking place in Kenya on Tuesday, 17 November.
Mosimane made an impressive start to his tenure, leading Bafana Bafana to victories in both of his first two qualifying matches. South Africa began with a 2-1 win against Guinea before beating Eritrea 5-0 on Wednesday night.
The performances of Okon and Makhanya in those matches have complicated the defensive selection picture. Makhanya took his opportunity after being given a chance, while Okon also strengthened his case for continued involvement.
Their progress has already affected the positions of Nkosinathi Sibisi and Khulumani Ndamane, who have moved further down the pecking order.
The competition is likely to become even tougher for those two defenders once Mbokazi is fully fit and ready to challenge for his place in the starting line-up again. Mosimane must now weigh up the value of retaining a partnership that delivered two wins against the established status of one of Bafana Bafana’s key defenders.
With the two matches against Kenya approaching, the manager will have to determine whether Mbokazi returns immediately or whether Okon and Makhanya have done enough to keep their places.