South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane has leaned heavily on Mamelodi Sundowns for this month's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya. The Pretoria club provide 12 players in the 27-man squad, SuperSport reported. That is almost half of the selection.
Mosimane kept faith with established internationals despite fitness worries. Captain Ronwen Williams and midfielder Teboho Mokoena are both recovering from injuries. It is not yet clear whether they will play in Sundowns' CAF Super Cup match against USM Alger on Sunday.
Sundowns winger Siyanda Ndlovu gets a chance at senior international level. Chicago Fire defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi returns after missing Mosimane's first window in charge. He joins fellow overseas-based defenders Olwethu Makhanya of Rangers, Ime Okon of Hannover 96 and Samukele Kabini of Molde.
Orlando Pirates defender Kamogelo Sebelebele is out injured. That leaves Thapelo Morena and Thabang Matuludi as the recognised right-backs. Pirates midfielder Thalente Mbatha returns, as does Houston Dynamo striker Lyle Foster. Foster joins an attack featuring Iqraam Rayners, Cassius Mailula, Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng. Pirates strikers Evidence Makgopa and Yanela Mbuthuma miss out.
The double-header pits Mosimane against Benni McCarthy, the former Bafana Bafana striker who now coaches Kenya. South Africa lead Group D after winning their first two qualifiers, against Guinea and Eritrea. They are chasing a place at the 2027 finals.
The first match is at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Friday, November 13. The return leg is at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 17. Both games kick off at 18h00 South African time.