Pitso’s Names Chaine Named Co-Captain Alongside Williams And Zwane
Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has confirmed that Ronwen Williams will retain his role as team captain.
At the same time, Mosimane revealed that Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine and Mamelodi Sundowns legend Themba Zwane will form part of a broader leadership group as co-captains.
Zwane previously wore the armband for Bafana Bafana on three occasions—leading the side against Uganda and South Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in September 2024 while Williams was sidelined through injury and vice-captain Percy Tau missed out on selection.
Zwane also captained the national team during a goalless draw against Nicaragua in a FIFA World Cup warm-up match at the Orlando Amstel Arena in May.
Chaine’s inclusion in the leadership core comes as a surprise given that he is not a guaranteed starter, with Williams firmly established as the first-choice goalkeeper.
“I believe in leadership in many ways,” Mosimane said during a press conference at SAFA House on Thursday.
“So, we won’t have just one captain. We have a few captains, and I will sometimes choose a captain of the day. If Kylian Mbappé can be a captain, I think we can also empower young leaders. A player doesn’t have to be 35 or 38 to lead.
“Themba Zwane is one of my captains, by the way. But we need young captains—young boys who can step up and learn how to lead. I don’t believe in having just one captain because if that player gets injured, you are left without options. A captain also needs to be on the pitch, and we have many players with great leadership qualities.
“For your information, Chaine is going to be one of the captains, just like Ronwen will remain my captain. Let’s open this up and go for it.”
Bafana Bafana kick off their 2027 AFCON Group D qualifying campaign against Guinea at the Orlando Amstel Arena on 26 September, before travelling to a neutral venue in Egypt to face Eritrea on 30 September.
South Africa will conclude the extended FIFA international window with a friendly against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium on 4 October.
