Nqaba Xulu Earns First Bafana Bafana Call-Up
The 23-year-old Richards Bay FC forward secures a spot on the 38-man provisional squad for upcoming qualifiers.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Soccer
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Richards Bay FC forward Nqaba Xulu has been named to the provisional Bafana Bafana squad as he continues an impressive debut season. The 23-year-old has netted six goals in nine appearances across all competitions.
Why it matters
The national team call-up serves as motivation for Xulu as he aims to cement his place under coach Pitso Mosimane. His inclusion highlights a bright spot for Richards Bay FC, which currently struggles for form in the league.
Xulu has recorded six goals in nine matches this season, including five strikes in the league and one in the Carling Knockout Cup. Richards Bay FC sits 15th on the league log with three points from eight winless matches.
The players
Nqaba Xulu
The 23-year-old forward plays for Richards Bay FC and hails from KwaNongoma.
Pitso Mosimane
He is the professional football coach responsible for selecting the Bafana Bafana squad.
Richards Bay FC
The club competes in the Betway Premiership and is managed by Dimitar Pantev.
The details
Xulu has been a standout performer for his club despite Richards Bay FC facing a difficult campaign that included a 3-1 defeat to Sekhukhune United. The team is currently focusing on league improvements under coach Dimitar Pantev after being eliminated from cup competition.
Timeline
13 November 2026: Bafana Bafana plays Kenya in the first leg match.
17 November 2026: Bafana Bafana plays Kenya in the second leg match.
Season Trajectory
Xulu's promotion to the national squad validates his individual form amidst a difficult season for Richards Bay FC. His performance in upcoming international matches will be critical for his long-term prospects in the Bafana Bafana setup.
Fans should look for Xulu to feature in the upcoming qualifiers against Kenya on 13 November and 17 November. His status with the national team will likely influence his playing time and tactical role for Richards Bay FC in subsequent league fixtures.
The takeaway
Young players often use national team windows to attract interest from larger clubs during the transfer period. Maintaining consistent goal-scoring form remains the most effective strategy for strikers looking to become permanent fixtures in the national programme.
Further reading
Follow the latest team developments and league updates in the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Isolezwe.
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