SAFA got the coaching decision right this time. Pitso Mosimane is the most successful South African coach of the modern era. Five PSL titles at Sundowns, one CAF Champions League, two more Champions League finals at Al Ahly. Now he's back at Bafana for a second stint, 14 years after his first.
The context matters. Bafana are already qualified for World Cup 2026 (co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico). That was Hugo Broos's parting gift before he walked away in July. Mosimane inherits a squad that finally has senior European experience, a captain in Ronwen Williams who's been the best goalkeeper in Africa for two years, and a competent group of technical staff.
AFCON 2027 qualifying is Mosimane's first real test. Group D is not a walkover. Guinea have Bayern Munich forward Serhou Guirassy leading a rebuilt attack. Kenya are qualified automatically as co-hosts (with Tanzania and Uganda), but they'll still send full-strength teams into the group for FIFA points. Eritrea are the group whipping boys, but away in Cairo (their neutral home) is still a trip.
State of Play
Two of the four Group D sides go through to the finals. Kenya are auto-qualified as hosts, which effectively means Bafana are competing against Guinea for the group top spot, with the second automatic place also up for grabs from that same pool. In short, avoid losing to Guinea and don't drop points to Eritrea, and Bafana are through.
The opener at Orlando Stadium against Guinea is the pivotal fixture. Home advantage, a full house of Bafana faithful, and a Guinea side missing Guirassy through club-country schedule friction (verify closer to kick-off, but that's the current expectation). If Bafana get this right, the rest of the campaign becomes an exercise in game management.
The Numbers
Bafana Bafana Key Players
Africa's best goalkeeper for two seasons running. Mamelodi Sundowns' number one, the man who single-handedly won Bafana the AFCON 2023 bronze medal on penalties. Under Mosimane he keeps the armband.
Burnley forward, Bafana's most consistent goal threat. Physical, quick, works the channels. Foster's fitness is the campaign's biggest variable. Fit Foster, Bafana score. Injured Foster, the goals dry up.
The Sundowns midfielder controls the tempo when Bafana are on top. Long-range shooting, dead-ball delivery, and the vision to slip Foster in behind. Vice-captain material.
Mshishi is the creative axis. Late-career Zwane has slowed a step but reads the game better than anyone in the squad. Mosimane worked with him at Sundowns for years and trusts him completely.
Fixture Calendar
September 2026 Qualifiers & Friendly
November 2026 Double-Header
Kenya double-header dates and venues to be confirmed by CAF. Both fixtures fall in the November FIFA window.
March 2027 window closes out the group. That's Bafana v Eritrea at home and away to Guinea. All dates and venues to be confirmed closer to the window.
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Bafana Bafana FAQ
When do Bafana Bafana play their next qualifier?
Saturday 26 September 2026 against Guinea at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, kick-off 15:00 SAST. That's Matchday 1 of Group D. Matchday 2 follows on Wednesday 30 September, away to Eritrea at Al-Salam Stadium in Cairo (Eritrea's neutral home venue).
Who is the Bafana head coach?
Pitso Mosimane replaced Hugo Broos ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers. Mosimane returned to a senior South African role after successful spells at Mamelodi Sundowns (five PSL titles, one CAF Champions League) and Al Ahly in Egypt. This is his second stint as Bafana head coach, having led the team from 2010 to 2012.
What group are Bafana in for AFCON 2027 qualifying?
Group D. South Africa are grouped with Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea. Kenya are co-hosts of AFCON 2027 with Tanzania and Uganda and have already automatically qualified as hosts. That means Kenya's matches in the group are technically friendlies for them, but they still count for FIFA ranking points.
Are Bafana already in the World Cup 2026?
Yes. Bafana secured qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026 (co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico) in September 2026 after winning their African qualifying group under Hugo Broos. The current AFCON 2027 campaign is Mosimane's first assignment.
Who is the Bafana captain?
Ronwen Williams. The Sundowns goalkeeper took the armband under Broos and has kept it under Mosimane. Vice-captains rotate between Teboho Mokoena and Aubrey Modiba. The senior spine includes Lyle Foster at Burnley, Themba Zwane at Sundowns, and Fawaaz Basadien as first-choice left-back.
Where can I bet on Bafana matches in South Africa?
Every SA-licensed bookmaker prices Bafana matches. Hollywoodbets carry the deepest African international book. Betway are strongest for in-play. Easybet, Tictacbets, 10Bet and Betfred all offer match result, correct score, over/under, both teams to score, first goalscorer, anytime scorer, outright group winner and AFCON winner markets.
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Sipho Nkosi
Senior SA Football Writer
Sipho has covered SA football for 14 years. He was at Bafana's AFCON 2023 bronze medal run in Ivory Coast and reports on the national team home and away. See all articles by Sipho.