Lebohang Maboe ruled out of Bafana Bafana squad due to injury; Mosimane calls up Tshepanga Moremi

Despite the midfielder from Kaizer Chiefs, Lebohang Maboe, arriving at the national team with a bruise after missing a penalty in the Betway Premier League match that ended 0-0 on Sunday, he will remain part of the 'Bafana Bafana' squad.

The head coach of the 'Bafana Bafana' national team, Pitsos Mosimane, confirmed that Lebohang Maboe will stay with the team, even though he sustained an ankle injury during Sunday's match against Golden Arrows.

Maboe reported for duty with the national team on Monday but was sent for examination following complaints of sharp pain in his ankle. Speaking before the 'Bafana' first training session at the AW Muller University stadium in Johannesburg, Mosimane stated that the medical team recommended caution regarding the midfielder.

Mosimane said: 'He has a minor ankle injury; it looks like no one even touched him. It is sensitive; the doctor informed me that we must be careful with him and give him a chance.'

This injury came at an unfortunate time for Maboe, who was recovering with 'Bafana' after an impressive performance for 'Chiefs'. Instead of immediately sending him back to the club, Mosimane decided to keep the midfielder in the camp while medical staff assess the extent of the problem.

The 'Bafana' coach also expressed hope that Maboe can recover in time to participate in the three matches of the international window scheduled for South Africa. 'Bafana' will play Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 26 as part of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, and then travel to Egypt to face Eritrea on September 30. Following this, they will play a friendly match against Egypt on October 4.

Mosimane acknowledged the disappointment Maboe might feel, especially after hard work to earn his spot in the squad. He noted: 'We have a three-week camp. He took tests, and the results will show how far along he is, and I think he worked hard to get into 'Bafana'. He must be disappointed by the injury, and no one hit him. Sometimes that happens in football; let's hope Lebo recovers and tries.'

For now, Maboe remains with the national team while 'Bafana' medical staff assesses his condition. The examination will determine the scope of the injury and the possibility of the 'Chiefs' midfielder participating in any of the three matches in Mosimane's first international window since returning as 'Bafana' coach.

Pitsso Mosimane has returned to lead the Bafana Bafana national team during an interesting period, as the number of South African footballers playing overseas grows, and many of them arrive at the camp in encouraging form.

The main figure is Relobokhile Mofokeng, who noted his challenge with the national team after scoring his first Europa League goal for Royal Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday. The 21-year-old player demonstrated an impressive start to his European career after moving from Orlando Pirates, scoring four goals since his transfer to Belgium.

Mofokeng is also among the players Mosimane mentioned as part of the next generation he intends to develop; the coach has already highlighted his versatility and ability to influence the game from different positions.

Another player is Tapelo Maseko, who is settling into Denmark after moving from Mamelodi Sundowns to FC Copenhagen. Maseko scored twice in his first start for Copenhagen in the team's 5-0 victory over OB earlier this month, which was an early sign of what he can offer in a new environment.

This winger was one of Bafana's bright performers at the 2026 World Cup, scoring the winning goal against South Korea, and his move to Europe gives him another platform for development.

Puso Dithejane may have become one of the biggest beneficiaries of moving abroad. The Chicago Fire forward has been recognized for his strong form in Major League Soccer, including being named club player of the month in July and August. His performances led to his first call-up to the Bafana starting lineup under Mosimane and could provide the coach with another attacking option in the upcoming international window.

However, the overseas contingent is not limited to goalscorers. Olwetu Mahanya has established himself at Scottish giant Rangers after moving from Stellenbosch, while Shandre Campbell continues his European journey with Belgian club KV Kortrijk. Campbell moved to Kortrijk from Club Brugge after 11 appearances in the Belgian Pro League last season, and his involvement is another sign of the growing number of young South Africans testing themselves outside the country.

Meanwhile, Mahanya represents an important addition to defensive options after his move to Scotland. The Rangers defender is among several central defenders competing for spots under Mosimane, although the coach faces a different selection problem in defense compared to the abundance of attacking options available to him.

The overall picture is encouraging. South Africa's thirty-man squad for the upcoming international window includes nine players based abroad, including Mofokeng, Maseko, Dithejane, Mahanya, and Campbell. They are following a path that South African football increasingly desires for its young players—testing themselves against different opponents, adapting to various football cultures, and fighting for permanent places abroad.

For Mosimane, this creates competition. And if goals, minutes, and appearances continue, it could give Bafana a new dimension as the new coach begins to build his squad.

It is reported that the Safa team is close to signing Arthur Zwein as Pitso Mosimane's second assistant in the 'Bafana Bafana' national team.

Mosimane took over the team leadership at the beginning of this month, replacing Hugo Bruus. He quickly brought on board trusted staff members Musi Matlaba and Kabelo Rangoa, who will continue to share their experience as analyst and physical fitness coach, respectively.

The former 'Mamelodi Sundowns' coach further strengthened his technical team by appointing Moren Ramoreboli as his first assistant after he left the position of head coach of the Botswana national team.

News emerging this week indicates that Zwein is ready to join Mosimane's team on a part-time basis. According to available information, he will continue to lead the 'AmaZulu' team while fulfilling the duties of Mosimane's second assistant. Furthermore, he will oversee the work of the U23 youth team, helping integrate young players into the senior squad.

Zwein has experience working with youth. His impressive period at 'AmaZulu' was a result of nurturing young talents and helping them adapt to the high demands of professional football.

He began his coaching career in the youth structures of 'Kaizer Chiefs', where he played an important role in promoting young players who subsequently moved to Europe or became full members of the senior team.

If Zwein takes this position, he returns to the 'Bafana' squad, as he previously worked as an assistant to the current technical director Molefe Ntseki.

Much has changed since then—after Bruus qualified the team for two continental tournaments in a row and for the World Cup, where they historically reached the 32nd round. Therefore, Mosimane is under pressure to maintain this momentum.

Mosimane will begin his term with the CAF Confederation Cup qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on September 30, and four days later he will meet Eritrea at the neutral Al-Salam stadium in Cairo. Then 'Bafana' will conclude the international window with a friendly match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on October 4.