Hugo Broos Names 45-Man Preliminary Squad for Bafana Bafana’s Final World Cup Qualifiers
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has unveiled a 45-man preliminary squad for South Africa’s final two FIFA World Cup qualifiers in October, three fewer than the group named for September’s fixtures.
Mamelodi Sundowns duo Fawaaz Basadien and Malibongwe Khoza, along with Bradley Cross, Gape Moralo, Siyabonga Ngezana, and the injured trio of Themba Zwane, Sydney Mobbie, and Deano van Rooyen, were all left out.
Despite recent injuries, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Patrick Maswanganyi, and Ime Okon retain their places, while Nkosinathi Sibisi returns after last captaining Bafana in July. New inclusions are Thabiso Monyane, Polokwane City’s Thabang Matuludi, Sekhukhune United’s Keletso Makgalwa, and Sphephele Sithole of Portuguese side CD Tondela.
South Africa currently lead Group C with 17 points (five wins, two draws, one loss), but their campaign is under a cloud as FIFA investigates the fielding of Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho in March. A possible three-point deduction could leave Bafana level with Benin on 14 points.
To guarantee qualification, Broos’ side will need maximum points from their final two matches: against Zimbabwe at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on 10 October, and Rwanda on 13 October, with the venue for the latter still to be confirmed. Notably, Rwanda remain the only team to have beaten South Africa in the qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana Preliminary Squad (selected):
Ronwen Williams, Ricardo Goss, Sipho Chaine, Darren Johnson, Renaldo Leaner, Khuliso Mudau, Zuko Mdunyelwa, Thabang Matuludi, Thabiso Monyane, Aubrey Modiba, Ime Okon, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Teboho Mokoena, Luke Le Roux, Bathusi Aubaas, Sphephele Sithole, Oswin Appolis, Patrick Maswanganyi, Lyle Foster, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Evidence Makgopa, Mihlali Mayambela, Ashley Cupido, Keletso Makgalwa, Devin Titus.