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).

Scheduled to kick off on Friday, October 20, 2023, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the AFL’s opening match will showcase Simba SC from Tanzania facing off against Al Ahly SC from Egypt.

The Prize Money for the AFL is as follows:
$4 000 000 (R75 Million) for the Winner
$3 000 000 (R56 Million) for the Runner-up
$1 700 000 (R32 Million) for each of the Semi-finalists
$1 000 000 (R18.9 Million) for each of the Quarter-finalists

The prize money at stake is remarkably attractive and competitive, with the winners needing just six matches to claim the substantial prize pool of $4,000,000.

Among the notable and top-ranking football clubs participating in this inaugural AFL edition are Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Wydad AC (Morocco), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) and Atletico Petroleos de Luanda (Angola).

The AFL represents a collaborative effort between CAF and FIFA. One of its primary objectives is to elevate the quality of African club football to a global competitive level and ensure the commercial viability of African football clubs.

Additionally, the AFL aims to foster the development and nurturing of youth football talent across the African continent.
CAF’s overarching goal is to ensure that all 54 CAF Member Associations, including those without representation in the AFL, benefit and receive financial support from the commercial success and viability of this prestigious tournament

Connor holds a UEFA Pro License and brings a wealth of experience from various positions within the football industry.

Since getting promoted to the DStv Premiership this season, Cape Town Spurs have suffered seven consecutive defeats.

According to the club statement: “Connor will be tasked with all football operations at Ikamva and will ensure that the club’s football objectives are met”.

The Mozambique international reclaimed his position in the starting lineup as the left-back, replacing S’fiso Hlanti, following a challenging period of injury, which he gratefully acknowledges is now in the past.

“Obviously, it wasn’t how I wanted the season to start for me. It is difficult, as a player, not to be on the field doing what we love, but I just had to deal with it in a positive way and try to focus on my recovery. I’m happy now that it’s a thing of the past and I am back with the gents,” he tells Chiefs website.

“It was amazing to come back into the team and contribute with a goal and a good performance,” he says.

“I have been eager to get back so when my chance came I wanted to play well and contribute to the team, and I am happy I did.

“Obviously, there are areas where I can improve. It wasn’t a 100 percent perfect game, but we learn every day.

“I should also give credit to my teammates because, at certain times in the match I felt a bit tired, this being my first game and lacking match fitness, but the guys kept pushing me and motivating me to keep going.”

“I want to thank the fans for always being with me. Even when I wasn’t playing, I always felt their love and care for me, which I appreciate very much.”

The match began with an early goal by Ashley Cupido, setting the tone for the remainder of the encounter.

Nevertheless, despite their initial lead, the Urban Warriors failed to capitalize on their advantage. A penalty converted by Darwin Gonzalez just before halftime restored parity, while Khanyisa Mayo’s brace secured City maximum points in the derby.

Despite the Citizens dominating possession in the early stages of the game, it was Spurs who took the lead with their very first attacking move. Seizing possession from City in midfield, the Urban Warriors executed a textbook counter-attack, and Ashley Cupido calmly slotted the ball home from within the 18-yard area.

Even after conceding, Eric Tinkler’s team, maintained control of the possession and actively sought an equalizer. Their counter-attacking style often troubled the City defence.

As the game approached the 25-minute mark, City controlled the majority of play in Spurs’ half but struggled to convert their goal-scoring opportunities.

City was awarded a penalty in the 40th minute when the referee detected a handball by Rushwin Dortley inside the penalty area. Gonzalez confidently placed the ball into the net, just out of the reach of goalkeeper Sam Ramsbottom.

In the second half, the Urban Warriors displayed greater initiative compared to their first-half performance, while City managed to create a few scoring opportunities.

After an hour of play at the DHL Stadium, Spurs looked lively when moving forward, occasionally causing City to defend nervously.

As the 70th minute approached, the Citizens shifted into high gear and took the lead through a clever strike by Khanyiso Mayo. Gonzalez delivered the ball down the left flank, and Mayo flicked it into the net at the near post.

City sealed the victory with five minutes remaining, as Mayo completed his brace in the iKapa Derby.
Once again, City posed a threat down the left wing, and Mayo was in the right place at the right time to bundle the ball home from close range while battling with Siyanda Msani inside the six-yard box.

In the first leg, the Red Devils displayed their prowess with a 3-0 triumph away from home, fuelled by goals from Hussein El-Shahat and Ahmed Abdelkader.

In the return leg, Al Ahly continued their dominant form. Mohamed Magdy Afsha set the tone within the first ten minutes with a remarkable free-kick goal, granting his team an early advantage.

Shortly thereafter, Mahmoud Kahraba doubled their lead from the penalty spot after half an hour. Afsha struck again, this time at the far post, netting his second and Al Ahly’s third of the evening just five minutes later.

With a comfortable lead, Al Ahly maintained their offensive pressure and secured their fourth goal through a well-executed play.

Mohamed Hany initiated a dynamic run down the right flank and delivered a sublime cross, which Mahmoud Kahraba met with a powerful header, eluding Saint George’s Bahiru Negash.

These convincing victories over two legs earned Al Ahly a spot in the CAF Champions League group stages, scheduled to kick off at the end of November.

The sale of match tickets commenced at 15h00 PM on Thursday, 28 September and within 18 hours, on Friday, they were completely sold out.

The highly anticipated MTN8 final is scheduled to take place at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday, October 7, kicking off at 18h00 PM.

Fans are urged to arrive early as the gates will open at 14h00 PM to facilitate a seamless entry process.

Orlando Pirates secured their berth by triumphing over Stellenbosch, while Mamelodi Sundowns booked their place with a captivating victory over Kaizer Chiefs in a thrilling semi-final encounter.
There will be no tickets sold at the stadium.

Sundowns will host the Burundian side in the Caf Champions League, preliminary round, second leg.

The 2016 Caf Champions League winners head into this encounter with a commanding 4-0 lead; Lucas Ribeiro was the catalyst, opening the scoring as early as the 12th minute and later securing a brace in the second half.

Lesiba Nku and Peter Shalulile also joined the scoring fray to expand the lead. Despite their advantageous position, Coetzee, anticipates a challenging second leg match.

“This is the Champions League, there is never an easy game even though we are 4-0 up after the first leg,” said Coetzee.

“We continue to prepare for every game the same because it’s the culture of the club and we want to win every match, so we will go into this match with the same mentality.

“It’s a whole new game so I think Bumamuru FC will come out maybe a little bit more aggressive than they did in the first leg because they know what they have to overcome if they want to go through.

“We also know what we need to do because it’s our duty to the club and ourselves to put us in the group stages,” the player adds.

Last year, Wydad Casablanca eliminated Sundowns with an aggregate score of 2-2. Coetzee reflected on their semi-final clash and expressed their team’s strong determination to prevent a recurrence of that outcome.

“We all felt the pain of what happened last season, we were so close. It’s not like we lost a game, that’s why we went out of the Champions League, we went out based on the away goal rule. That will be a learning curve for us this season.”

“This year we are preparing to go into the first leg to win and try to kill the game off as we have done now in this preliminary round. We also know that this is the Champions League, it’s never over until the final whistle.

“Even with a 4-0 scoreline, we are still preparing for the second leg the same way we prepare for any other game,” Rivaldo concluded.

The second leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round against Bumamuru FC will take place at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday evening.

After conceding an initial 1-0 deficit during their trip to Gaborone, the Soweto Giants were determined to secure advancement to the competition’s group stage.

The Buccaneers pressed forward, with Paseka Mako’s shot on target the first real test for Jwaneng Galaxy’s Goitseone Phoko, though it was comfortably handled.

Zakhele Lepasa had a promising chance when he headed Patrick Maswanganyi’s cross towards goal, but it went straight into the goalkeeper’s hands.

Midfielder Thabang Monare tried his luck from outside the box, but Phoko denied him as well. The first half saw Orlando Pirates’ defenders, Tapelo Xoki and Nkosinathi Sibisi, even joining the attack, but they couldn’t find the back of the net.

Maswanganyi’s late effort from a tight angle also met Phoko’s resistance. The second half began much like the first, with the Buccaneers unable to break through Jwaneng’s defense.

It took until after the hour mark for a breakthrough when substitute Evidence Makgopa’s deflected shot found the net.

Jwaneng had a rare chance in the 72nd minute through Wendell Rudath, but his shot missed the target. Despite Pirates’ efforts to regain control, they couldn’t find the elusive second goal.

Their closest opportunity came 23 minutes from the final whistle when Kermit Erasmus struck the woodwork with a powerful shot. Makgopa and Hotto attempted to secure the victory, but neither could find the target.

The match eventually ended in a penalty shootout. Hotto and Rubath made their spot-kicks, leveling it at 1-1. Sibisi and Xoki followed with successful penalties, while Sesinyi and Masuku ensured the visitors were still level after three penalties each.

Pirates’ teenage midfielder missed the fourth penalty, and although Maswanganyi converted his, it wasn’t enough to pull the Soweto Giants back into the contest. The visitors had a perfect conversion rate and secured their spot among the final 16 teams in the competition.

The thrilling Caf Confederation Cup match was played at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on a Friday night.

Both teams showcased captivating displays and generated numerous scoring opportunities during the first half, resulting in a halftime score of 0-0.

However, it was the home team that broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, courtesy of Nigerian international Etiosa Ighodaro, who capitalised on a brilliant assist from Ronald Pfumbidzai.

Ighodaro further embellished his performance by completing a brace in the 72nd minute.
In the 76th minute, Matsatsantsa executed double substitutions, with Pfumbidzai being replaced by Terrence Dzvukamanja, and Bradley Grobler stepping in for the two-goal hero, Ighodaro.

Matsatsantsa continued to assert their dominance, culminating in substitute Grobler finding the back of the net in the 90th minute, solidifying their commanding lead.
The match concluded with a final score of 3-0 in favor of the home side, SuperSport United.