Several players overlooked for the previous AFCON could get an opportunity to impress Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Broos has included a number of players who missed out on the AFCON tournament in Morocco in his preliminary squad, from which he will select the final team for the upcoming international friendlies against Panama.
SAFA confirmed the list of players in the preliminary squad on Monday afternoon. South Africa will host Panama in two international friendlies later this month. The first match will take place on 27 March at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, while the second encounter will be played on 31 March at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.
Bafana are scheduled to hold a training camp later this month to prepare for the upcoming qualifiers. The squad is expected to assemble in the last week of March. Bathusi Aubaas and Elias Mokwana, who were in Morocco for AFCON, have been ommitted for the Panama test.
WHICH AFCON ABSENTEES WERE INCLUDED IN BROOS’S PRELIM SQUAD
The Belgian mentor has included several fresh faces in his latest squad selection. Among the new inclusions are goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner and his Sekhukhune United teammate Vuyo Letlapa, as well as Darren Johnson of AmaZulu FC.
The squad also features defender Olwethu Makhanya, who currently plies his trade with Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, while Germany-based defender Ime Okon has also earned a place in the preliminary squad.
Midfielder Jayden Adams could return to the national setup following a blistering run of form with Mamelodi Sundowns. His Sundowns teammates, Thapelo Morena, Iqraam Rayners and Themba Zwane, have also been named in the preliminary squad.
Further inclusions include Ndamulelo Maphangule of Polokwane City, who joins the squad alongside Mthetheleli Mthiyane of Stellenbosch FC.
Familiar faces also return to the fold, with Bongokuhle Hlongwane recalled together with Patrick Maswanganyi of Orlando Pirates, as well as Yanela Mbutuma as Broos continues to balance youth with proven international quality. There was no place for any Kaizer Chiefs player.
RELATED STORY: Benni McCarthy rules himself out of Bafana job, picks Broos successor