Bafana Bafana will kick off the second Pitso Mosimane era at Orlando Amstel Arena in Saturday's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea.
South Africa have reasons for both optimism and concern ahead of their first match since June's FIFA World Cup round of 32 defeat to Canada.
Many of their young stars are shining at club level, with Relebohile Mofokeng already a fan favourite at Belgium's Union Saint-Gilloise, Olwethu Makhanya in superb form at centre-back for Rangers, and Thapelo Maseko off to a bright start at FC Copenhagen.
However, delays over bonuses to players and technical team members after the FIFA World Cup deeply affected team morale. Mosimane's return as head coach was announced on Sep. 1, weeks later than expected, and he has had less than ideal conditions to build a technical team in.
However, Bafana Bafana have genuine cause for belief in a brighter future after their first ever World Cup knockout appearance. Despite their success on the global stage, they still have a continental score to settle.
Hugo Broos led them to third place at the 2023 tournament - held belatedly in Ivory Coast in early 2024. That was arguably the moment of Bafana Bafana's revival as an African giant, as it was their best finish since AFCON 2000 in Ghana and Nigeria.
However, Bafana were eliminated by Cameroon in the round of 16 in Morocco at AFCON 2025 - held in Morocco across December 2025 and January 2026.
Although they redeemed themselves at the World Cup, this qualifier marks the beginning of a journey to potentially proving next year in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania that Bafana are back among Africa's elite to stay.
This mission carries immense personal significance for Mosimane. Failure to qualify for AFCON 2012 ultimately led to the downfall of his first stint in charge of Bafana. A decade and a half later, he can settle a score - starting on Saturday.
Later in this international break, Bafana will play another qualifier against Eritrea, while Guinea will face Kenya.
Key details
Date: Saturday, Sep. 26 at 3 p.m. CAT (2 p.m. BST, 1 p.m. GMT)
Venue: Orlando Amstel Arena
How to watch: SABC is scheduled to broadcast the AFCON qualifiers
Team news
Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire) and Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns) are notable injury absentees in defence for Bafana Bafana.
Strikers Lyle Foster and Evidence Makgopa have been left out of the squad too. Foster has recently joined Houston Dynamo on loan from Burnley and reportedly has yet to work his way back to full fitness, while Makgopa has had his own issues with injury.
In midfield, Lebo Maboe was ruled out of this game after twisting his ankle with Kaizer Chiefs. Orlando Pirates winger Tshepang Moremi was called up in his place.
Guinea head coach Paulo Duarte has recalled Celta Vigo's Ilaix Moriba, formerly of Barcelona. Madiou Keïta and Saïdou Sow also get the nod. Defender Aboubacar Keïta is in line to potentially make his debut over the international break after a first ever senior call-up.
Expected lineups
South Africa
GK Ronwen Williams
LB Samukele Kabini | CB Olwethu Makhanya | CB Ime Okon | RB Kamogelo Sebelebele
CM Sphephelo 'Yaya' Sithole | CM Teboho Mokoena
LW Oswin Appollis | AM Relebohile Mofokeng | RW Puso Dithejane
ST Yanela Mbuthuma
Guinea
GK Soumaïla Sylla
LB Sékou Sylla | CB Mory Konaté | CB Mohamed Soumah | RB Ibrahima Brèze Fofana
CM Ilaix Moriba | CM Ousmane Diabaté
LW Aguibou Camara | AM Seydouba Cissé | RW Abdoul Traoré
ST Serhou Guirassy
Stats
South Africa scored only twice in their four games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with neither of those two goals coming from strikers.
Guinea's Serhou Guirassy was the second-highest scorer in qualifiers for AFCON 2025 with six goals - second only to Morocco's Brahim Díaz, who scored seven.