New Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane names his captains ahead of 2027 AFCON qualifiers openers.
The experienced coach has included Mamelodi Sundowns stars Ronwen Williams and Themba Zwane in the leadership group, with Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine also receiving a place among the team’s senior figures.
Pitso Mosimane is no stranger to managing big personalities, and his decision suggests that he wants leadership to come from different areas of the dressing room.
Rather than having only one captain responsible for rallying the team, the coach has created a group of players who can share that responsibility.
The idea is to make sure there are experienced voices on the pitch and in the dressing room, regardless of who eventually wears the armband for a particular match.
Williams is an obvious choice. The Sundowns goalkeeper has been one of Bafana Bafana’s senior players and has captained the national team on several occasions.
His experience and position also allow him to organise the defence and communicate with his teammates throughout matches.
Zwane brings a different kind of influence.
The veteran midfielder has spent years playing at the highest level in South Africa and has been part of Bafana’s setup for a long time.
His experience could prove especially useful to some of the younger players coming into the national team.
Chaine’s inclusion is also worth noting.
The Pirates goalkeeper has established himself as an important player for his club, and his place in the leadership group shows that Mosimane is willing to give responsibility to players who have earned their opportunity.
The presence of players from both Sundowns and Pirates could also help strengthen the bond within the squad.
Domestic rivalries will be put aside as the players come together with one objective — representing South Africa.
The new leadership group will have little time to settle in, with Bafana facing an important international schedule.
South Africa will begin their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Guinea and Eritrea, while an international friendly against Egypt is also on the schedule.