# Pitso Mosimane’s centre-back dilemma

> Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane faces centre-back selection headache with multiple high-quality options.
- Title: Pitso Mosimane’s centre-back dilemma · Daily Maverick
- Summary: Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane faces centre-back selection headache with multiple high-quality options. Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has multiple…
- Keywords: pitso mosimane, bafana bafana, centre-back, mbekezeli mbokazi, olwethu makhanya, afcon 2027, aden mccarthy, danny jordaan, news, politics, Pitso, Mosimane
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-21-bafana-boast-centre-back-riches-as-mosimane-weighs-options-for-kenya-double-header
- Author: Yanga Sibembe
- Published: 2026-10-21T20:18:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pitso mosimane, bafana bafana, centre-back, mbekezeli mbokazi, olwethu makhanya, afcon 2027, aden mccarthy, danny jordaan, news, politics
## Selection headache
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane faces centre-back selection headache with multiple high-quality options.
## Centre-back options
Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Ime Okon, Olwethu Makhanya and other centre-backs compete for Bafana Bafana places.
## Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Mbekezeli Mbokazi is one of the premier choices for Bafana Bafana’s defence.
## Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s status
Mbekezeli Mbokazi was absent due to lack of match fitness after recovering from an injury suffered in training for his club Chicago Fire.
## Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s return
South African Football Association President Danny Jordaan said, 'We hope Mbokazi will be fit and will be back [with Bafana in the next international window].'

> We hope Mbokazi will be fit and will be back [with Bafana in the next international window].
## Bafana Bafana’s next match
Bafana Bafana will play Kenya in a double-header on 13 November at Orlando Stadium and in Nairobi four days later.
## Mbekezeli Mbokazi’s impact
Mbekezeli Mbokazi was the most impressive player for South Africa at the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
## Key takeaway

Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has multiple centre-back options for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.