Bafana Bafana’s Afcon group opponents have announced their provisional squads ahead of the 2023 African football showpiece. South Africa has been drawn into Group E alongside Mali, Tunisia and neighbours Namibia.
They begin their tournament against The Eagles of Mali on 16 January at Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. Bafana coach Hugo Broos announced his 50-man preliminary squad last week. The team will be trimmed to 23 players in early January.
BAFANA BAFANA OPPONENTS NAME THEIR AFCON PROVISIONAL SQUADS
Namibia, who are led by Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile have announced nine players who ply their trade in South Africa in their 46-man list.
The SA-based players are Loydt Kazapua [Chippa United], Ananias Gebhardt [Baroka FC], Riaan Hanamub [AmaZulu FC], Deon Hotto [Orlando Pirates], Elmo Kambindu [Chippa United], Betuel Muzeu [Black Leopards], Joslin Kamatuka [Maritzburg United], Edward Maova [Pretoria Callies] and also Lubeni Haukongo [Cape Town Spurs]. 26 players in their squad are based in Namibia and they also have four players who ply their trade in Europe. Ryan Nyambe is at Derby Country in England while Aprocius Petrus, Simaneka Petrus and Prins Tjiueza all play for KF Liria Prizen in Serbia.
WEST AFRICAN NATION MALI LIST DOMINATED BY OVERSEAS-BASED PLAYERS
Only 11 of the players named in the Mali provisional squad play their trade in the African continent. This includes Percy Tau’s teammate at Al Ahly Aliou Dieng and Young Africans goalkeeper Djigui Diarra.
The rest of the players are based in European leagues, mostly in France. Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Yves Bissouma, Schalke 04 defender Ibrahima Cisse, RB Leipzig midfielder Amadou Haidara and Boubacar Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers are some of the players named in the provisional squad.
2004 CHAMPIONS TUNISIA NAME A 55-MAN PROVISIONAL SQUAD
Head coach Jalel Kadri has named 19 locally based players in the Tunisie provisional team. Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri has also made the list. It also includes Samy Chouchane of Brighton & Hove Albion and Ellyes Joris Skhiri of Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.
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