South Africa coach Hugo Broos Picture Credits: Timeless News Archive
By Moyahabo Mabeba
With the African Cup of Nations tournament drawing closer, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has named his preliminary squad.
The South African senior men’s national is scheduled to open the continental showpiece against Angola before facing Egypt and Zimbabwe in Morocco.
The 2025 edition of AFCON will be staged from December 21 to January 18, with Bafana drawn in a highly competitive Group B alongside Egypt, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Broos has opted for a generational mix of veterans and novelty acts who have displayed glimpses of brilliance in the respective league campaigns recently.
The Belgian tactician is expected to focus on continuity after South Africa’s encouraging recent performances in AFCON qualifiers and the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualification programme.
Bafana will open their campaign on December 22 with a potentially decisive encounter against Angola, a side known for its competitive nature and resilience.
Four days later, on December 26, Bafana will face continental giants Egypt, a fixture that has traditionally delivered high drama and intensity.
The final group-stage match is scheduled for December 29, when Broos’ charges meet regional rivals Zimbabwe, rounding off what could be a fiercely contested group.
Broos’ selections and tactical approach will be closely watched in the coming weeks, as South Africa aims to build on the growing momentum within the national team setup.
PRELIMINARY SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Ricardo Goss (Siwelele FC), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates FC), Renaldo Leaner (Sekhukhune FC), Darren Johnson (AmaZulu FC), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs FC)
Defenders: Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Fezile Ngcaba (Durban City FC), Thabang Matuludi (Polokwane City FC), Thabo Moloisane (Stellenbosch FC), Khuljumani Ndamane (TS Galaxy FC), Mbebezeli Mbokazi (Orlando Pirates FC), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders: Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Samulelo Kabini (Molde FK, Norway), Keegan Allan (AmaZulu FC), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune FC), Nkosinathi Sibisi (Orlando Pirates FC), Malibongwe Khoza (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Siyabonga Ngezana (FCSB, Romania), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Thabiso Monyane (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Tyloni Smith (Queen’s Park Rangers, England), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Bradley Cross (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Luke Le Roux (Portsmouth FC, England)
Forwards: Bathusi Aubbas (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Thalente Mkatla (Orlando Pirates FC), Siphesihle Mkhize (Sekhukhune FC), Siphesihle Maduna (TS Galaxy FC), Ndamulelo Maphangule (Polokwane City FC), Siphephelo Sithole (CD Tondela, Portugal), Masindi Nemtajeia (Orlando Pirates FC), Mthetheleli Mthiyane (Stellenbosch FC), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates FC), Kamogelo Sebelebele (Orlando Pirates FC), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates FC), Joram Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Duduzi Shabalala (Kaizer Chiefs FC), Mohau Nkota (Al Ettifaq, Saudi Arabia), Themba Zwane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Lyle Foster (Burnley FC, England), Puso Dithejane (TS Galaxy FC), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota SC, USA), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates FC), Mihlali Mayambela (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Ashley Cupido (Stellenbosch FC), Evidence Makgopa (Orlando Pirates FC), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates FC), Keletso Makgalwa (Sekhukhune FC), Shandre Campbell (Club Brugge, Belgium), Relebogile Mofokeng (Orlando Pirates FC), Elias Mokwana (Al Hazem, Saudi Arabia).
