Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos sprang a few surprises on Monday when he announced his final 25-player squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco later in the month.
Some of the main surprises were that he left out injury-plagued veteran attacking midfielder Themba Zwane but there was space for highly rated youngsters Tylon Smith of Queens Park Ragers in England and Club Brugge forward Shandre Campbell.
Smith led Amajita to South Africa’s first U20 Africa Cup of Nations victory earlier this year and Campbell has been part of match-day squads for Club Brugge in the Uefa Champions League.
Other players who will feel unlucky not to have made the squad are Mamelodi Sundowns duo of striker Iqraam Rayners, who has scored six goals so far in the Betway Premiership and utility player Thapelo Morena.
Broos picked nine players from the team that finished third in last year’s AFCON in Ivory Coast including Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Oswin Appollis and Evidence Makgopa.
Broos also picked a number of players who have impressed in the league including the likes of Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Thabang Matuludi, Khulumani Ndamane, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng, Mohau Nkota and Elias Mokwana.
South Africa are in Group B with former champions Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe and they kick off their Afcon campaign against Angola in Marrakesh on December 22.
Bross is attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw in Washington on Friday and Bafana go into camp at University of Pretoria (Tuks) on Monday after Saturday’s Carling Knockout Cup final between Orlando Pirates and Marumo Gallants at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Sundowns), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Pirates)
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba (both Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City), Khulumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy), Mbekezile Mbokazi, Nkosinathi Sibisi (both Pirates), Samukelo Kabini (Molde FK), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB), Tylon Smith (Queens Park Rangers)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas (both Sundowns), Thalenthe Mbatha (Pirates), Siphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela)
Fowards: Oswin Appollis, Tshepang Moremi, Evidence Makgopa, Sipho Mbule, Relebohile Mofokeng (all Pirates), Mohau Nkota (AL Ettifaq), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge) and Elias Mokwane (AL Hazem)
Standby Players: Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC), Iqraam Rayners (Sundowns), Mduduzi Shabalala (Chiefs)
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