Hugo Broos, head coach of South Africa’s national team, has named 23 players to his final squad for this month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo Brazzaville.
It is important to note that the Belgian previously announced an initial 32-man preliminary squad in late September.
Broos has now trimmed the list down, cutting nine players off the initial squad as they prepare to take on Congo in a Group K double-header.
The Bafana Bafana boss has dropped experienced Al Ahly forward Percy Tau from his final squad for the second straight time as he was also not called up for the September games. Also omitted on the list is Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa, who has scored three goals in 10 games in all competitions this season.
Many regulars, however, made the list, like goalkeeper and captain Ronwen Williams, who is returning to the team after missing their last two matches due to injury. Burnley forward Lyle Foster and the Mamelodi Sundowns trio of Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, and Grant Kekana all made the final squad.
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos names his final squad for the AFCON qualifiers against Congo in Gqeberha on 11 October 2024, and away on 15 October 2024#BafanaPride#Afconqualifers pic.twitter.com/ZBfepGkkhn
— Bafana Bafana (@BafanaBafana) October 3, 2024
The invited squad of players are expected to gather in Johannesburg on Saturday, October 5, before travelling to their base in Gqeberha the next day.
Bafana Bafana, second in the group, will host Congo at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Friday, October 11, before heading to Brazzaville for the return leg four days later on Tuesday, October 15.
