Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced his 23-man squad for South Africa’s upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in September.
South Africa sit atop group C in the FIFA World Cup African qualifiers, five points ahead of second-place Rwanda. Benin are tied with Rwanda on eight points while Nigeria are hot on their heels with seven points. Lesotho and Zimbabwe are bottom, having collected six and four points respectively.
The squad lacks a few familiar names, such as Mamelodi Sundowns’ Themba Zwane and Grant Kekana, who are both injured.
Also not selected was right-back Khuliso Mudau, who only returned to Masandawana training this past week after trying to force a transfer from the club. Broos cited his lack of time on the field as the reason for not making the side.
Of the 23 squad members, six ply their trade outside of the country while the remaining 17 feature in the PSL. The numbers are dominated by Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, with The Buccaneers contributing seven players, while The Brazilians have six.
Bafana Bafana will face Lesotho on Friday 5 September at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein before clashing with Nigeria on Tuesday 9 September at the same venue.
Should South Africa collect all six available points from the two encounters, the nation will qualify for football’s biggest tournament for the first time since hosting it in 2010.
Bafana Bafana squad:
Ronwen Williams – Mamelodi Sundowns
Sipho Chaine – Orlando Pirates
Ricardo Goss – Siwelele FC
Sydney Mobbie – Siwelele FC
Zuko Mdunyelwa – Mamelodi Sundowns
Mbekezeli Mbokazi – Orlando Pirates
Aubrey Modiba – Mamelodi Sundowns
Khulumani Ndamane – TS Galaxy FC
Ime Okon – Hanover 96
Samukelo Kabini – Molde FK
Siyabonga Ngezana – FCSB FC
Teboho Mokoena – Mamelodi Sundowns
Luke Le Roux – Portsmouth FC
Bathusi Aubaas – Mamelodi Sundowns
Thalente Mbatha – Orlando Pirates
Kamogelo Sebelebele – Orlando Pirates
Oswin Appolis – Orlando Pirates
Patrick Maswanganyi – Orlando Pirates
Iqraam Rayners – Mamelodi Sundowns
Lyle Foster – Burnley FC
Mduduzi Shabalala – Kaizer Chiefs
Mohau Nkota – Al Ettifaq FC
Relebohile Mofokeng – Orlando Pirates
