Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos named his preliminary squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Thursday.
There is a heavy presence from Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates as the two teams are currently dominating the SA domestic football scenes with only three players from Kaizer Chiefs.
There were no real surprise names in the 50-man squad other than the return Njabulo Blom, as Broos insinuated that he would not call up the Saint Louis City midfielder as the player “doesn’t have the right” attitude to represent the country.
Hugo Broos stuck to his defence with Siyanda Xulu and Nkosinathi Sibisi named. The three Amakhosi players that made the preliminary squad are Given Msimango, Bruce Bvuma, and Sibongiseni Mthethwa.
In addition, Siyabonga Ngezana, who is in fine form in Romania’s topflight for FCSB, also made the cut. Bafana coach has to cut the squad down to 23 names before Africa’s showpiece in 2024. The AFCON tournament is set to take place in Ivory Coast from January 12 to February 11.
BAFANA PRELIM SQUAD
Bafana are in Group E and will face the likes of Mali, Tunisia, and Namibia as they look to capture the title for the first time since 1995. Broos men will tackle Mali on 16 January before taking on neighbours Namibia on 21 January.
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They will conclude their group stage campaign with a clash against Tunisia on 24 January. The top two from the group are guaranteed a spot in the knockout stages, while the four-best third-placed will also qualify for the Last 16.
“Broos’ charges will assemble for camp on 4 January 2024 and then travel to Stellenbosch for a training camp that will be held in the Western Cape city until 9 January 2024,” reads the SAFA statement. “Bafana Bafana will then play a training match against Lesotho behind closed doors at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville before departing for Côte d’Ivoire on 11 January 2024.”