Mbekezeli Mbokazi has led the list of players returning to the 38-man preliminary squad of Bafana Bafana for the upcoming crucial qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON against co-host Kenya.
Mbokazi was absent from the first two qualifying matches of the team, which ended in victories over Guinea 2-1 and Eritrea 5-0, allowing South Africa to take first place in Group D due to injuries.
The defender is not the only new player in the defensive line compared to the previous squad, as coach Pitso Mosimane added several young players to the Bafana squad.
Mbokazi was joined by goalkeeper Thakasani Mbanjwa, Nkosikhona Radebe, and Aden McCarthy, who successfully transferred to Sabah FK from Azerbaijan, recently scoring his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 2-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund.
In midfield, Thalente Mbatha also returned after missing the previous camp due to injury. He was reinforced by Luke Le Roux and Lebohang Maboe, who were also called up after injuries forced them to leave the previous squad early.
Mosimane selected a proven attacking line, calling up Devin Titus, Lyle Foster, Boitumelo Radiopane, and Nqaba Xulu. Foster is particularly important as he returns after missing the last camp due to limited playing time, and recently scored his first goal in Major League Soccer for Houston Dynamo.
Bafana will host the Harambee Stars, managed by Benni McCarthy, at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, November 13, at 18:00, before traveling to Nairobi for the return match on Tuesday, November 17.
A full set of points in both matches will allow Mosimane's team to confidently contend for participation in the continental tournament, which will be jointly held in the Pamoda region by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania next year. Mosimane is expected to announce the final squad early next month.