Broos names Bafana preliminary squad for October friendlies
Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has announced a 36-member preliminary squad for friendly matches against Eswatini and Ivory Coast.
The international friendly matches will take place in October.
Bafana Bafana will host Eswatini on 13 October at 18:00 before they travel to Ivory Coast on 17 October. The matches are part of Broos’ preparations for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in January 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers taking place in November.
SAFA are yet to announce the venue for the friendly match against Eswatini.
HUGO BROOS TO FACE ESWATINI AND IVORY COAST
The Squad will report for camp on 8 October in Johannesburg. They will head to West Africa on 14 October, a day after hosting Eswatini.
The squad will be trimmed to 23 players when Broos announces his final list for the two matches.
BAFANA BAFANA PRELIMINARY SQUAD FOR OCTOBER INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES:
Goalkeepers:
Ronwen Williams [Mamelodi Sundowns], Veli Mothwa [AmaZulu FC], Ricardo Goss [SuperSport United], Sipho Chaine [Orlando Pirates]
Defenders:
Nyiko Mobbie [Sekhukhune United], Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Nkosinathi Sibisi [Orlando Pirates], Aubrey Modiba [Mamelodi Sundowns], Thapelo Maseko [Mamelodi Sundowns], Mothobi Mvala [Mamelodi Sundowns], Siyanda Xulu [SuperSport United], Given Msimango [Kaizer Chiefs], Innocent Maela [Orlando Pirates], Ime Okon [SuperSport United], Thapelo Morena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Khuliso Mudau [Mamelodi Sundowns], Thapelo Xoki [Orlando Pirates].
Midfielders:
Njabulo Blom [Sr Louis FC], Teboho Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Grant Kekana [SuperSport United], Bathusi Aubaas [Mamelodi Sundowns], Sphephelo Sithole [C.D Tondela], Mlungisi Mbunjana [TS Galaxy], Sibongiseni Mthethwa [Kaizer Chiefs], Luke Le Roux [Volendam FC].
Forwards:
Mihlali Mayambela [Aris Limassol], Pule Mmodi [Kaizer Chiefs], Percy Tau [Al Ahly], Zakhele Lepasa [Orlando Pirates], Lyle Foster [Burnley], Lebo Mothiba [Strasbourg FC], Monnapule Saleng [Orlando Pirates], Bongokuhle Hlongwane [Minnesota], Khanyisa Mayo [Cape Town City], Mduduzi Msantsane [Kaizer Chiefs], Themba Zwane [Mamelodi Sundowns].
Bafana Bafana will begin their Group C CAF World Cup qualifiers when they host Benin on 13 November 2023. They will travel to Rwanda for the second qualifier match, their last match for the year.
They are set to play in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast from 13 January to 11 February 2024. Bafana Bafana are in pot 3 for the Afcon draw after the seedings were released by CAF on Thursday.
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