Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has named his preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria next month.
Broos’ troops will first take on neighbours Lesotho on Friday, 05 September, followed by a match against Nigeria a few days later on Tuesday, 09 September 11.
The much-anticipated World Cup qualifier against long-time rivals, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, will be a home game for Bafana Bafana. The match is set to kick off at 18:00 at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
But before that, Bafana will play their away fixture against Lesotho on South African soil at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein [18:00]. This is because the Likuena does not have a stadium that meets CAF’s standard criteria.
NEW FACES IN BAFANA SQUAD AS BROOS NAMES PRELIMINARY SQUAD
The Bafana preliminary squad features several new faces, including AmaZulu FC goalkeeper Darren Johnson, Bradley Cross of Kaizer Chiefs, and Mamelodi Sundowns defender Zuko Mdunyelwa. Also earning a call-up are Puso Dithejane [TS Galax], Kamogelo Sebelebele [Orlando Pirates], Siphesihle Mkhize [Sekhukhune United], and Gape Moralo [Siwelele FC].
Broos also included some players based abroad, such as Mohau Nkota of Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, Siyabonga Ngezana, who plays for FCSB in Romania, and Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
In a notable selection, defender Khuliso Mudau has been included in the squad despite not playing a single match this season. Broos decided to call Mudau amidst an ongoing contract dispute with his club, Sundowns.
Currently topping Group C with 13 points, five ahead of second-placed Rwanda, Bafana Bafana is in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Broos will trim the preliminary squad prior to the upcoming FIFA international break.
THE BAFANA BAFANA PRELIMINARY SQUAD FOR LESOTHO AND NIGERIA WORLD CUP QUALIFERS
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