Thirteen members of the latest Bafana Bafana squad are based outside South Africa, with players competing in America, Europe and elsewhere in Africa before two important 2027 AFCON qualifying matches against Kenya this month.
South Africa host the Harambee Stars at Orlando Stadium on 13 November, with kick-off at 18:00. The return fixture is scheduled for 17 November, although SAFA says the venue and kick-off time have not yet been confirmed.
Bafana Bafana lead their qualifying group, making victories in both matches particularly important. Kenya have already qualified automatically as one of the tournament’s co-hosts, leaving one remaining place to be contested.
Pitso Mosimane has selected several overseas-based players for the fixtures, according to the SAFA website. The players below are listed in the order in which they appear in the Bafana Bafana squad.
Kabini has established himself as a versatile defender for FC Molde in Norway. He played a prominent role in the 2-0 victory over KFUM Oslo in September and remained unbeaten defensively. The former TS Galaxy player also scored in South Africa’s important 2-1 win against Guinea during the same month.
Makhanya is enjoying a notable campaign with Rangers FC in Scotland. He helped the club keep a clean sheet in their 1-0 Scottish League Cup semi-final victory over Aberdeen on 31 October. Former Rangers manager Ally McCoist has, according to KickOff, encouraged him to remain at the club rather than seek another transfer.
Okon is still attempting to secure a regular place at Hannover 96. The defender has been an unused substitute in each of the club’s past five matches, but remains important to Bafana Bafana after scoring a crucial goal against Guinea in the September 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Mbokazi recently returned from a lengthy absence caused by a thigh injury and immediately resumed his form with Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer. He has regularly ranked among the league’s highest-rated defenders.
McCarthy impressed for Azerbaijan’s Sabah FK in their UEFA Champions League meeting with Borussia Dortmund on 20 October. The centre-back scored despite the 1-2 defeat and was rated highly by FlashScore.
Sithole, known as “Yaya”, is building his reputation with Tondela CD in Portugal. His recent appearances in the second tier have come from the bench, although he scored for South Africa in the 5-0 win over Eritrea in September.
Le Roux has made progress at Cercle Brugge after moving from Portsmouth earlier this season. He assisted in the 1-2 Belgian Pro League defeat by Anderlecht and has started four matches.
Mofokeng has been one of Union Saint-Gilloise’s most productive players. The former Orlando Pirates winger has scored five goals and supplied four assists this season, according to Transfermarkt, after the Belgian club signed him in June.
Maseko is injured after being hurt while playing for FC Copenhagen. Soccer Laduma says he is unavailable for the “foreseeable future”, with a tentative return in mid-November putting his participation against Kenya in doubt.
Singh has started regularly on the left for AEL Limassol, scoring twice and adding two assists as the club sit fifth in the Cypriot First Division.
Titus has contributed two assists for MAS Fes in Morocco’s Botola Pro, where the club are seventh. His form earned him a recall to the Bafana Bafana squad after a lengthy absence.
Foster joined Houston Dynamo on loan in September, seeking to revive his career after criticism of his performances for Burnley and Bafana Bafana. He has already scored for the MLS club.
Dithejane is competing for a starting place at Chicago Fire but has scored six goals in all competitions since joining in January, according to Transfermarkt. He also scored the winner in South Africa’s October friendly against Egypt.
