No Kaizer Chiefs players made Bafana Bafana final 27-man squad for the November 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya. Head coach Pitso Mosimane selected players from several domestic and overseas clubs, but none from Amakhosi. The squad list confirms the absence; it does not establish a specific reason for every omission.
Kaizer Chiefs players in the Bafana Bafana squad had been a talking point because midfielder Lebohang Maboe featured in the preliminary group before missing the final selection. Former Chiefs winger Mandla Masango has since weighed in on what the decision means for players hoping to earn international places.
Which Kaizer Chiefs players missed the final Bafana squad?
Lebohang Maboe was the Chiefs representative in Mosimane’s preliminary selection, but he was among the players left out when the group was reduced to 27 on 5 November. The distinction matters: a preliminary call-up means a player is being considered, not that he has secured a place in the final squad.
The final selection included goalkeepers Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine and Ricardo Goss. Mamelodi Sundowns supplied 12 players, while Orlando Pirates also had multiple representatives. These are selection facts, not evidence of a policy against Chiefs.
For the complete list of selected players and clubs, see our Bafana Bafana November 2026 squad guide.
What has Pitso Mosimane said about leaving Chiefs players out?
The published final-squad announcement does not give a separate, attributable reason for each Kaizer Chiefs player’s exclusion. It would therefore be misleading to present a tactical disagreement, disciplinary issue or club-level dispute as Mosimane’s explanation.
What the selection does show is strong competition for places across the national team. That is different from establishing why a particular player was left out. Any further explanation should be attributed to Mosimane if he addresses individual selections directly.
Mandla Masango responds to the absence of Chiefs players
Former Chiefs winger Mandla Masango told FARPost that missing out would be disappointing for Amakhosi players, but he also viewed the competition for Bafana places as a sign of improving standards. He highlighted Mduduzi Shabalala and goalkeeper Brandon Petersen as players with the potential to push for future call-ups.
Masango’s comments are a former player’s assessment. They do not change the official 27-man squad or amount to an explanation issued by the national-team coach.
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Can Kaizer Chiefs players return to Bafana Bafana?
The November omission does not prevent Chiefs players from being selected for later international windows. Future opportunities will depend on the pool available to the coach and subsequent squad decisions, with club performances providing evidence for consideration.
Supporters following those players can use our Kaizer Chiefs fixtures, results and squad guide for the broader club picture. That page covers Chiefs’ season rather than claiming to predict national-team selection.
When do Bafana Bafana play Kenya?
South Africa host Kenya on Friday, 13 November 2026, at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto, with kickoff scheduled for 18:00 SAST. The return AFCON qualifier is scheduled for Tuesday, 17 November, in Nairobi. Benni McCarthy coaches Kenya, while Mosimane leads Bafana Bafana.
Read our South Africa vs Kenya match preview for the fixture details and team-news context. For changing football scores, fixtures and results, follow SportPesa Score.
What the omission means for Amakhosi
The absence of Kaizer Chiefs players from Bafana Bafana’s Kenya squad is confirmed, but the precise reason for each exclusion is not. Maboe’s removal from the preliminary group and Masango’s public reaction explain why the story has attracted attention. The next official squad announcement will show whether Chiefs regain representation in South Africa’s national team.
