Ex-Bafana Bafana international Sibusiso Vilakazi has weighed in on the national team’s depth ahead of the 2025 AFCON, addressing the absence of veteran playmaker Themba ‘Mshishi’ Zwane from Hugo Broos‘ final squad.
The 36-year-old playmaker’s omission follows a pruning of the initial 54-man preliminary list, which ultimately saw him excluded from Broos’ final 25-man selection for the AFCON in Morocco, scheduled to run from 21 December to 18 January.
‘Mshishi’, as he is affectionately known, spent the majority of the 2024/25 PSL season on the sidelines after suffering an Achilles injury in Bafana’s 2025 AFCON qualifier encounter against Congo Brazzaville in October 2024.
He returned to action on the 19th of April 2025 during Mamelodi Sundowns’ 0-0 draw with Al Ahly in the first leg of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League semi-final clash at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
However, at the start of the 2025/26 campaign, he suffered another injury setback but quickly recovered and played in the Brazilians’ CAF Champions League group stage clash with MC Alger last month, coming on as a second-half substitute for Miguel Reisinho.
ZWANE REVEALS VILAKAZI AS HIS ‘PILLAR OF SUPPORT’ DURING REHAB
Despite making seven appearances for Sundowns across all competitions this season, Zwane was a notable absentee for Bafana Bafana, missing key fixtures in both the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2025 AFCON qualification campaigns. Notwithstanding his absence, South Africa secured their spot in both major tournaments.
During his difficult stint on the sidelines, Zwane found a pillar of support in Vilakazi, who was among the first to offer encouragement to the veteran midfielder during his injury layoff.
Recalling the support he received, Zwane highlighted how Vilakazi’s own history with long-term injuries made his encouragement particularly meaningful.
“You know ‘Villa’ went through the same situation before, so he would call to encourage me,” Zwane shared. “We would talk and he’d tell me that it’s not over, that these things happen, and that I must stay positive.”
‘WE SHOULDN’T BE FOCUSING ON PLAYERS LEFT OUT’: SIBUSISO VILAKAZI
In an interview with this publication, Vilakazi urged the SA football public to move past the debate over high-profile omissions, insisting that the focus must shift toward backing Hugo Broos and his final 25-man selection.
The Belgian tactician faced a “healthy headache” during the selection process, a testament to the burgeoning depth of the national pool that was initially whittled down from a massive 54-man preliminary list. The final squad’s strength is perhaps best illustrated by the calibre of talent left behind.
The goalkeeping department saw the exclusion of Brandon Petersen, Renaldo Leaner, and Darren Johnson, while the defensive cuts were even more ruthless. Despite their contributions to Bafana’s previous AFCON campaign, both Thapelo Morena and Fawaaz Basadien were omitted, alongside rising stars Ime Okon and Vuyo Letlapa, whose consistent club performances were not enough to secure a plane ticket to Morocco.
The decision to leave out European-based Luke Le Roux and Mihlali Mayambela also raised eyebrows across the fraternity.
The sheer competitiveness of the squad is further highlighted by the names relegated to the standby list, which includes the likes of Iqraam Rayners, Mduduzi Shabalala, and Thabo Moloisane.
“For me, right now, the squad is excellent. You know, given what the coach has done, we can only give support more than anything else,” Vilakazi told FARPost.
“We shouldn’t be focusing too much on singling out who has been left out and what’s not. I mean, I’m pretty sure that everybody has been given their own reasons.
“But for us, it is just to rally behind the coach. I think the squad itself is magnificent, and they are capable of getting the job done.”
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