Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his final squad for the upcoming friendly matches against Eswatini and Ivory Coast, with players from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates dominating the selection.
Out of the 23 players selected to take on Eswatini and Ivory Coast in friendly matches this month, seven are from Sundowns and four from Pirates. Kaizer Chiefs only have a single player in the squad.
Bafana will tackle Eswatini on 13 October 2023 at home before travelling to take on AFCON hosts Côte d’Ivoire on 17 October. The venue for the encounter against Eswatini is yet to be confirmed by SA.
Hugo Broos and his men will be in camp on the 8th of October and jet off to Ivory Coast on the 14th of the same month. Bafana are on a nine-match unbeaten streak, having come out victorious in six games while drawing three times.
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The upcoming friendlies against Eswatini and Ivory Coast will serve as preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda in November.
Bafana coach Broos trimmed down his squad from 36 to 23 players. Pirates captain Innocent Maela and Sundowns duo Thapelo Morena and  Bathusi Aubaas are out due to injury.
Meanwhile, Bucs defender Paseka Mako earned his first call-up despite not initially being on the preliminary squad.
The players that were left out include Sipho Chaine [Orlando Pirates], Thapelo Xoki [Orlando Pirates], Thapelo Maseko [Mamelodi Sundowns], Given Msimango [Kaizer Chiefs], Ime Okon [SuperSport United].
Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Mlungisi Mbunjana [TS Galaxy], Luke Le Roux [Volendam FC], Pule Mmodi [Kaizer Chiefs], Khanyisa Mayo [Cape Town City], Mduduzi Mdantsane [Kaizer Chiefs] conclude the list of omitted players
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BAFANA SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams [Mamelodi Sundowns], Veli Mothwa [AmaZulu FC], Ricardo Goss [SuperSport United].
Defenders: Nyiko Mobbie [Sekhukhune United], Grant Kekana [Mamelodi Sundowns], Nkosinathi Sibisi [Orlando Pirates], Aubrey Modiba [Mamelodi Sundowns], Paseka Mako [Orlando Pirates] Mothobi Mvala [Mamelodi Sundowns], Siyanda Xulu [SuperSport United], Khuliso Mudau [Mamelodi Sundowns].
Midfielders: Njabulo Blom [Sr Louis FC], Teboho Mokoena [Mamelodi Sundowns], Sphephelo Sithole [C.D Tondela], Sibongiseni Mthethwa [Kaizer Chiefs].
Forwards: Mihlali Mayambela [Aris Limassol], Percy Tau [Al Ahly], Zakhele Lepasa [Orlando Pirates], Lyle Foster [Burnley], Lebo Mothiba [Strasbourg FC], Monnapule Saleng [Orlando Pirates], Bongokuhle Hlongwane [Minnesota], Themba Zwane [Mamelodi Sundowns].