South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has named a 48-man preliminary squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria, Afrosport reports.
The 73-year-old Belgian has opted for a blend of youth and experience, with captain Ronwen Williams headlining the squad alongside midfield star Teboho Mokoena and veteran forward Themba Zwane.
Also included are Evidence Makgopa, Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, Aubrey Modiba, Nkosinathi Sibisi, Luke Le Roux and Ime Okon, who is of Nigerian descent.
Bafana Bafana preliminary squad announcement for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Nigeria in September.
Vs
🇱🇸 Lesotho
🇳🇬 Nigeria @SABC_Sport pic.twitter.com/3qEclFuDIx— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) August 21, 2025
Broos is expected to release the final squad list in the coming days, ahead of the players’ arrival in camp.
Although officially listed as an away fixture, South Africa will face Lesotho at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday, 5 September, before hosting Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the same venue four days later.
Bafana Bafana currently sit top of the group with 13 points from six matches. Lesotho are fifth with six points, just one behind Nigeria, who occupy fourth place.
