Aden McCarthy Earns Bafana Bafana Recognition as Pitso Mosimane Names Preliminary Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

South African defender Aden McCarthy has received a major boost in his international career after being included in Bafana Bafana’s preliminary squad ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

The former Kaizer Chiefs centre-back has continued to attract attention following his move to Azerbaijani club Sabah FK, where he has gained valuable experience competing against international opposition. His inclusion in the provisional selection represents another important milestone for the young defender as he seeks to establish himself as a regular member of South Africa’s senior national team.

According to reports published on Friday, 23 October 2026, Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has included McCarthy in a preliminary squad for the upcoming AFCON qualifiers. The defender’s performances for Sabah, including his involvement in European competition, have strengthened his growing reputation.

McCarthy’s journey has attracted considerable interest from South African football supporters, particularly those who followed his development at Kaizer Chiefs.

His decision to continue his career abroad presented an opportunity to test himself in a different footballing environment, gain experience and compete for regular minutes at a higher level. Playing outside South Africa has also provided him with exposure to different tactical approaches and styles of football.

At Sabah FK, the defender has been working to establish himself while adapting to the demands of his new surroundings. His participation in European competition has further increased his visibility and given him opportunities to demonstrate his ability on a bigger stage.

For a young defender, earning recognition from the national-team technical staff can be an important source of motivation. McCarthy will now have another opportunity to strengthen his case for a more permanent role in the Bafana Bafana setup.

Although McCarthy’s inclusion is encouraging news, it is important to distinguish between a preliminary squad and the final team selected for international duty.

The provisional list allows the coaching staff to assess a wider pool of players before making their final decisions. Competition for places in central defence remains significant, meaning McCarthy will need to maintain consistent performances at club level to improve his chances of progressing further.

Mosimane will be looking for defenders who can demonstrate tactical discipline, composure in possession, physical strength and the ability to perform under pressure. McCarthy’s experience abroad could help his case, but his eventual involvement will depend on the coach’s final selection.

For McCarthy, the latest recognition represents an opportunity to move closer to his ambitions with the national team. Having developed through South African football before taking his career abroad, he will be eager to show that he can compete for a place among the country’s leading defenders.

His inclusion is also encouraging for young South African players looking to build careers beyond the domestic league. It demonstrates how performances abroad can keep players in the national-team conversation, although selection ultimately depends on consistency and the needs of the squad.

For now, McCarthy and his supporters will await the final squad announcement with anticipation.

Source; https://www.facebook.com/100064311483213/posts/1612887174198317/?app=fbl