Pitso Mosimane has confirmed that Kabini will receive an opportunity to play for Bafana Bafana after being overlooked during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The new head coach made the announcement shortly after his official unveiling at SAFA House this week, emphasizing that players who did not feature in Qatar will now be assessed for future selection.
What does Mosimane say about Kabini's role?
Mosimane specifically highlighted Kabini, stating the player was part of the South Africa squad for the 2026 World Cup but never got a chance to play on the international stage. He said Kabini has never been given a chance to play, so we have to see them also, adding that such players remain part of the team's plans despite not featuring in the tournament.
How will fringe players be evaluated?
The Kagiso-born coach explained that his technical team will properly assess fringe players like Kabini before making decisions on their international futures. Mosimane stressed he will not discard players who were part of the World Cup group but did not play, insisting they deserve a fair evaluation based on training and performance.
What upcoming matches could Kabini feature in?
Mosimane’s comments come as South Africa prepares for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with fixtures against Guinea and Eritrea on the horizon. The coach indicated that upcoming friendlies could provide the perfect platform to introduce players like Kabini, especially given injury concerns affecting key squad members ahead of those qualifiers.
What is Mosimane’s broader squad strategy?
While Mosimane confirmed he does not intend to completely overhaul the Bafana Bafana squad, he believes in giving opportunities to those who have waited for their chance. He reiterated that the door to the national team is now open for players like Kabini who were part of the World Cup setup but did not play, reinforcing his commitment to squad depth and development.
Kabini could make his debut in the upcoming friendly against Guinea as South Africa begins its 2027 AFCON qualification campaign, with details available on our fixtures page.
