Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has explained the omission of Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Sipho Chaine from his final squad for two friendlies against Panama.
Broos announced his final squad on Thursday for the back-to-back friendly matches against Panama later this month. Bafana will face Panama as they continue their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup hosted in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
South Africa’s qualification for the 2026 showpiece marks a historic return to the global stage, ending a drought that stretched back to their automatic entry as hosts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Prior to that iconic home tournament, Bafana Bafana’s last successful qualification campaign came in 2002 for the Korea/Japan edition.
Despite their continental pedigree as 1996 AFCON champions, the national side has famously never progressed beyond the group stages of a World Cup. The upcoming friendlies represent Bafana’s first taste of action since a frustrating 2025 AFCON campaign in Morocco.
In response to that disappointing exit, Broos has opted for a refresh, most notably sacrificing Orlando Pirates’ No. 1, Sipho Chaine. While the former Chippa United goalkeeper was part of the AFCON travelling party, he remained in the shadow of captain Ronwen Williams and has now lost his place in the squad entirely.
BROOS DROPPED CHAINE TO GIVE LEANER A CHANCE IN THE BAFANA SQUAD
Chaine is a shock exclusion in the Bafana squad after an impressive run with Pirates that saw him concede only nine goals and keep 14 clean sheets in 21 appearances in the Betway Premiership this season.
The Belgian mentor left out Chaine and replaced him with Sekhukhune United goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner. Broos has revealed that other goalkeepers in the team have been doing well and said everyone should be worried about their position, as no one is guaranteed a call-up.
“I think Leaner is always in the preliminary squad, and I think it was a good occasion now to see him again because he was with us a few months ago,” Broos said on SABC 1.
“We must be careful with injuries for our goalkeepers. So we need a backup, and I think Leaner can be that for us. Everybody has to be worried in the squad if they don’t perform, and I’m not saying Sipho is not performing, but everyone has to perform. This is not charity, this is very serious, and again I want to see Leaner.”
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