Return of Mbokazi and Foster excite Williams as competition for places intensifies

Bafana host Kenya in the first of their back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers tomorrow at Orlando Stadium, before meeting again in Nairobi next Tuesday. 

It is not only Mbokazi, who is returning to the team, but also Lyle Foster and Thalente Mbatha, all three players who were at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Williams sounds confident about their return...

"Having Mbokazi and Foster coming back into the team is amazing. They have been part of the team before and they will no doubt bring their qualities and strengthen the competition within the team. This week's training sessions have been so competitive from all the 27 players, but we are excited to have them back seeing that they were part of the history we made in the United States and Mexico."

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Bafana Bafana come from a background of complacency when playing the same opponent twice after starting at home. A case in point was an AFCON qualifier for the 2019 AFCON, when they beat Seychelles 6-0 at home but were held to a draw away from home, and that almost affected their qualification. Williams was part of those teams, and talks about how the team has left all those habits behind and now operates at a different level...

"In the past we would always stutter in these two-legged games because it's not easy playing the same opponent. However, we have improved on that because now we take it one game at a time knowing that each game presents its own challenges, responsibilities and game plan."

Bafana are top of Group D, with six points, three points clear of Guinea, after winning the opening two matches in the qualifiers. Only one team will qualify and join Kenya as co-hosts from this group, and Williams knows the importance of maintaining the status quo until the group is concluded in March next year.

Bafana Bafana have not enjoyed the best support in Gauteng and Johannesburg in particular, as the opening qualifier against Guinea in September was not sold out. Williams is urging the fans to come out in their numbers for this game to add that much-needed support.