Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is at the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco with a refreshed squad from the one that did duty at the last edition in Ivory Coast.
Fresh faces appear in Broos’ selection, and they will make their debut at Africa’s premier football competition. Not making it this time around are the likes of vice-captain Themba Zwane, Thapelo Morena, Percy Tau, Grant Kekana and Mthobi Mvala, who were the mainstay of the team that claimed bronze.
Mihlali Mayambela, Jayden Adams, goalkeeper Veli Mothwa, Terrence Mashego, Nyiko Mobbie, Zakhele Lepasa, Thabang Monare, Thapelo Maseko and Siyanda Xulu were the other members of that team that went to West Africa.
Interestingly, that means Broos will now have a new centre-back pairing, likely to be Nkosinathi Sibisi and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, following the omission of Kekana and Mvala.
FARPost takes a look at the Bafana players who are at AFCON for the first time.
RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG
After Broos sidelined him from the final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Rwanda, as well as November’s international friendly match against Zambia, Mofokeng seemed like a national team outcast.
This came as he struggled for form and game time at Orlando Pirates, a situation that threatened his national team involvement. But he managed to muscle his way into the team in Morocco and will be donning the number 10 shirt that belonged to Tau in Ivory Coast.
MOHAU NKOTA
The Saudi Arabia-based man has been a sensation since last season, and that earned him a move to Al Ettifaq. He has made an impact in his recent Bafana matches, including scoring in the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho in September and in the international friendly match against Zambia last month.
MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI
Arguably the biggest revelation in South African football in 2025, Mbokazi’s football story has been one for the archives. Just nine months after making his professional football debut, the 20-year-old finds himself at the biggest stage on the continent with high hopes on him to solidify Bafana’s defence.
The central defender would be out to defy the tongue-lashing he received from Broos for reporting late to the AFCON camp in Pretoria mnmost recently, as well as the criticism of his move to MLS side Chicago Fire FC.
THALENTE MBATHA
Blessed with a powerful shot, the Orlando Pirates central midfielder can be trusted in the middle of the park and can chip in with a goal. Mbatha found his way into the final AFCON squad despite coming from Pirates where coach Abdeslam Ouaddou had the likes of Sihle Nduli and Masindi Nemtajela sometimes selected ahead of the former SuperSport United man.
KHUKLUMANI NDAMANE
The Kaizer Chiefs reject has shown strong character in the way he has redeemed himself at TS Galaxy to convince Broos to take him to AFCON. This is a player who was selected ahead of other centre-backs, such as Ime Okon, Malibongwe Khoza and Thabo Moloisane.
Having arrived in Morocco, capped five times by South Africa, Ndamane is expected to make a big move away from the Rockets in January.
THABANG MATULUDI
Seen as a long-term replacement for Khuliso Mudau, the Polokwane City FC star has worked hard to earn his national team stripes. Even Kaizer Chiefs right-back Thabiso Monyane could not have his way ahead of Matuludi.
This is a player Broos can rely on in the event that Mudau is unavailable for selection or off form.
SIPHO MBULE
When Mbule was a key member of the Amajita squad at the 2017 Under-20 AFCON, he was expected to immediately break into the Bafana fold. But it took him eight years to cement his place in the senior national side.
The Buccaneers playmaker has ridden over the controversy that followed him from SuperSport United, Mamelodi, Sundowns and Sekhukhune United to rebirth himself straight into plans. He handed himself a personal boost with a stunning goal in the friendly match against Ghana last Tuesday in a friendly, and that could make Bafana’s AFCON opponents wary of giving him space.
SAMUKELO KABINI
Just like Mofokeng, Mbokazi, Nkota, Tylon Smith and Ndamane, the 21-year-old represents the future of Bafana Bafana. Broos has often expressed admiration for Kabini, who moved to Norwegian side Molde FK from TS Galaxy in March.
SHANDRE CAMPBELL
The Club Brugge attacker is yet to play for the senior national team. After he was snubbed from the last two camps, it appeared Campbell was not in Broos’s plans.
But he got himself into the Bafana fold even though, as a left winger, he faces stiff competition for playing time from the likes of Mofokeng, Appollis and Tshepang Moremi.
SIPHO CHAINE
Chaine’s inclusion in the final AFCON squad drew some debate, as some felt Chiefs goalkeeper Brandon Petersen deserved to be selected ahead of him. But he is in the national team, taking up the position of Mothwa, whose international career seems over.
SIYABONGA NGEZANA
The Romania-based centre-back goes to AFCON amid transfer rumours linking him with a move to France, and that boosts his profile. However, to earn regular playing time, he has to prove to Broos that he deserves to start ahead of Sibisi and Mbokazi.
Just like Mbule, he was expected to immediately make himself a Bafana regular after the 2017 U-20 AFCON, but he had to wait a bit longer to go to a major tournament with the senior side.
TYLON SMITH
Graduating from the South Africa Under-20s, the 2025 CAF Young Footballer of the Year nominee and African champion with Amajita goes to AFCON in a similar berth to that held by Oswin Appollis and Jayden Adams in Ivory Coast.
The Queens Park Rangers defender is yet to be capped at senior level, just like Campbell, but he knows his continued growth could see him at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
TSHEPANG MOREMI
The Pirates winger has been enjoying some good form, continuing with the top displays that made the Buccaneers sign him from AmaZulu FC. He is still new to the national team but has shown potential to be influential if called into action.
BAFANA BAFANA’S GROUP B AFCON FIXTURES
Bafana will begin their tournament journey in Group B against Angola on Monday, 22 December, at the Stade de Marrakech. Kick-off is set for 19:00.
On Friday, 26 December, South Africa will travel to Agadir to face continental giants Egypt. This Boxing Day blockbuster at the Adrar Stadium kicks off at 17:00.
The group stage concludes back in Marrakesh on Monday, 29 December, with a fierce derby against Zimbabwe. Scheduled for an 18:00 kick-off, this final fixture could prove decisive for qualification as the 1996 champions aim to secure their spot in the knockout rounds.
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