Bafana Bafana coach on Thursday named his final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against FIFA World Cup semi-finals Morocco.
The encounter set to be staged at FNB Stadium on 17 June is a dead rubber as both have qualified for AFCON from Group K.
Hugo Broos has trimmed the 34-man preliminary squad to 23 players leaving out 13 members.
The 70-year-old Belgian tactician held a reduced pre-camp from 31 May 2023 to 7 June with local and a few overseas-based players.
THE CAMP WAS GOOD
“I was happy with the mentality of the players. The camp was good. It was preparation for the main camp. Most of them were local players,” said Broos.
The final squad will go into camp on Sunday 11 June 2023.
Bafana, ranked 66th in the world and 12th in Africa might have already clinched their qualification but they will be gunning for revenge against the North Africans, who are ranked 11th in the world.
Bafana suffered a 2-1 to Morocco in their opening Group K game in Rabat in June 2022.
In addition, Broos’ men were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Liberia at Orlando Stadium on March 24. However, Bafana redeemed themselves as they best the Lone Stars 2-1 four days later in Monrovia.
The win saw Bafana accumulate four points, which is within reach of Liberia. But the latter have to shock Morocco in September in their last game.
Bafana, however, would still qualify due to CAF‘s head-to-head ruling from their results against the Liberians.
Group K is only made up of three nations as Zimbabwe were expelled from FIFA tournaments by the world’s governing body over interference in football in that country.
READ:CAF unanimously endorses Morocco’s joint World Cup bid
The 2023 AFCON will be hosted by Ivory Coast in January and February 2024 as the African showpiece was moved from June and July 2023 due to heat concerns in that country’s summer.
FINAL BAFANA BAFANA SQUAD FOR MOROCCO
Goalkeepers
Ronwen Williams, Veli Mothwa, Ricardo Goss,
Defenders
Sydney Mobbie, Siyanda Xulu, Innocent Maela, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thapelo Morena, Aubrey Modiba, Grant Kekana, Mothobi Mvala
Midfielders
Luke Le Roux, Njabulo Blom, Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas
Forwards
Monnapule Saleng, Themba Zwane, Thapelo Maseko, Cassius Mailula, Mihlali Mayambela, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Percy Tau, Zakhele Lepasa.