Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his 23-man final squad to face Eswatini and Ivory Coast in friendly matches this month.
Broos had initially named 36 players in his provisional squad. On Thursday, he trimmed it to 23.
South Africa will host Eswatini on Friday, 13 October, with the kick-off set for 18:00. South Africa will then jet off to to Ivory Coast on 17 October 2023.
These friendly games are part of Bafana’s preparations for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to take place in November 2023.
However, SAFA are yet to confirm the venue for the friendly game against Eswatini. The players will report to camp on 8 October in Johannesburg, and they will travel to Ivory Coast on 14 October.
Interestingly, the squad sees the return of Njabulo Blom who was left out by the coach last month during the Namibia and DR Congo international friendlies.
The squad include one player from Kaizer Chiefs in the name of Sibongiseni Mthethwa.
THE PLAYERS LEFT OUT OF THE FINAL SQUAD SELECTION
The 13 players who are left out of Broos’ final squad are Innocent Maela [Orlando Pirates], Thapelo Morena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Bathusi Aubaas [Mamelodi Sundowns], Sipho Chaine [Orlando Pirates], Thapelo Xoki [Orlando Pirates], Thapelo Maseko [Mamelodi Sundowns], Given Msimango [Kaizer Chiefs], Ime Okon [SuperSport United], Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Mlungisi Mbunjana [TS Galaxy], Luke Le Roux [Volendam FC], Pule Mmodi [Kaizer Chiefs], Khanyisa Mayo [Cape Town City], Mduduzi Mdantsane [Kaizer Chiefs].
In fact, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates remain the most represented clubs.
BAFANA FINAL SQUAD LIST
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams [Mamelodi Sundowns], Veli Mothwa [AmaZulu FC], Ricardo Goss [SuperSport United]
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie [Sekhukhune United], Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Nkosinathi Sibisi [Orlando Pirates], Aubrey Modiba [Mamelodi Sundowns], Paseka Mako [Orlando Pirates] Mothobi Mvala [Mamelodi Sundowns], Siyanda Xulu [SuperSport United], Khuliso Mudau [Mamelodi Sundowns]
Midfielders: Njabulo Blom [Sr Louis FC], Teboho Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Sphephelo Sithole [C.D Tondela], Sibongiseni Mthethwa [Kaizer Chiefs]
Forwards: Mihlali Mayambela [Aris Limassol], Percy Tau [Al Ahly], Zakhele Lepasa [Orlando Pirates], Lyle Foster [Burnley], Lebo Mothiba [Strasbourg FC], Monnapule Saleng [Orlando Pirates], Bongokuhle Hlongwane [Minnesota], Themba Zwane [Mamelodi Sundowns].
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