Bafana Bafana are expected to make at least five changes when they face Kenya in their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2027 qualifier at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday at 18:00.
Kamogelo Sebelebele is unavailable after suffering an injury, while Thapelo Maseko is also ruled out on the right wing. Head coach Pitso Mosimane is set to welcome back Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba, who have all recovered from injury.
The expected South Africa line-up is:
Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams
Right-back: Thabang Matuludi
Right-central defender: Olwethu Makhanya
Left-central defender: Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Left-back: Aubrey Modiba
Central midfielders: Sphephelo Sithole, Teboho Mokoena
Attacking midfielder: Relebohile Mofokeng
Right winger: Tshepang Moremi
Left winger: Oswin Appollis
Striker: Iqraam Rayners
South Africa have won both of their opening Afcon 2027 qualifying matches and currently lead Group D on six points, with a goal difference of +6.
Mosimane’s side began their campaign with a 2-1 home victory against Guinea in Johannesburg before producing a 5-0 win over Eritrea in Cairo. Those results have also moved South Africa up to 48th in the FIFA world rankings and 10th among African nations.
Kenya are already assured of a place at the 2027 finals because they are co-hosts alongside Tanzania and Uganda. As a result, only the Group D winners will claim the remaining qualification place.
Two victories against Kenya would give South Africa a strong opportunity to finish top of the group. The first meeting takes place in Soweto on Friday, with the return fixture scheduled for Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 17.
The match will also see Benni McCarthy return to South Africa in his role as Kenya head coach. McCarthy, Bafana Bafana’s all-time leading goalscorer, will face his home country for the first time since taking charge of the Harambee Stars.
Kenya sit bottom of Group D with one point from two matches. They lost 1-0 to Guinea in their opening game and then drew 1-1 with Eritrea.
McCarthy has also revealed difficulties within his backroom staff, saying publicly that members of his technical team have gone roughly three months without being paid.
Friday’s fixture will be the first competitive meeting between South Africa and Kenya. The teams have met four times in international friendlies, with South Africa unbeaten after recording three wins and one draw. Bafana Bafana have scored six goals and conceded two.
South Africa won 1-0 in 1996, drew 1-1 in 2002 before Kenya prevailed on penalties, then recorded a 2-0 victory in 2011. Their most recent meeting, in Nairobi in 2012, ended in a 2-1 South Africa win.
