Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos, has named his 23-member squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda this month.
Bafana will host Benin at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday, 18 November 2023, and travel to East-Central Africa to face Rwanda on Tuesday, 21 November 2023. Broos is optimistic about launching a successful World Cup qualifying campaign.
Striker Lyle Foster has been left out of the squad, with Broos attributing his exclusion to a medical issue.
“I spoke to the doctor of the club and to the coach, and they asked me to be discreet about it. Lyle is a good player and has progressed a lot in the last year,” he said.
“He did very well also in the English Premier League with Burnley and already scored three times this season. This is the kind of player you always want in your team, certainly when those important games are coming up. But it is what it is, and we cannot change it. We hope he will recover as soon as possible.”
The squad is set to commence their training camp at the University of Pretoria on Monday, 13 November and will travel to Durban on Friday, 17 November.
Following their match against Benin in the coastal city, the team will proceed to Rwanda and make their way back to South Africa on 22 November.
BAFANA BAFANA FINAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC), Ricardo Goss (SuperSport United)
DEFENDERS
Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Grant Kekana, Khuliso Mudau, Aubrey Modiba, Mothobi Mvala (All Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyanda Xulu (SuperSport United), Bradley Cross (Golden Arrows), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates)
MIDFIELDERS
Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Jayden Adams (Stellenbosch), Sibongiseni Mthethwa (Kaizer Chiefs), Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela)
FORWARDS
Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns), Percy Tau (Al Ahly), Zakhele Lepasa (Orlando Pirates), Lebo Mothiba (RC Strasbourg), Bongokhule Hlongwane (Minnesota United), Oswin Appollis (Polokwane City).