Bafana Bafana squad: Soweto bragging rights go to Orlando Pirates!

By Larry John Brown

Published: May 16, 2022 | 7:50 PM GMT

Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos on Monday announced a 38-man preliminary squad to face Morocco and Zimbabwe in June.

South Africa will get their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers underway away against Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on Thursday, 9 June before hosting Zimbabwe at the FNB Stadium on Monday, 13 June.

And Broos has already identified his men for the two crucial matches with the final squad set to be announced in due course.

However, there are still debate – and head-scratching – over the exclusion of several experienced players, especially those from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Andile Jali and Themba Zwane have once again been overlooked by Broos who has been firm in his decision not to select them for Bafana Bafana.

BAFANA BAFANA’S PRELIMINARY SQUAD

Goalkeepers (4): Ronwen Williams (SuperSport United), Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs)

Defenders (14): Nyiko Mobbie (Sekhukhune United), Khuliso Mudau (Mamelodi Sundowns), Grant Kekana (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lyle Lakay (Mamelodi Sundowns), Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bandile Shandu (Orlando Pirates), Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates), Thibang Phete (Belenenses, Portugal), Siyabonga Ngezana (Kaizer Chiefs), Taariq Fielies (Cape Town City FC), Terrence Mashego (Cape Town City FC), Luke Fleurs (SuperSport United), Thabani Zuke (Golden Arrows), Athenkosi Mcaba (Stellenbosch FC)

Midfielders (10): Spephele Sithole (Belenenses, Portugal), Goodman Mosele (Orlando Pirates), Thabang Monare (Orlando Pirates), Fortune Makaringe (Orlando Pirates), Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United), Lebohang Maboe (Mamelodi Sundowns), Phathutshedzo Nange (Kaizer Chiefs), Jesse Donn (SuperSport United), Mduduzi Mdantsane (Cape Town City FC), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Strikers (10): Thembinkosi Lorch (Orlando Pirates), Ashley du Preez (Stellenbosch FC), Keagan Dolly (Kaizer Chiefs), Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC), Khanyisa Mayo (Cape Town City FC), Fagrie Lakay (Pyramids, Egypt), Lyle Foster (Westerlo, Belgium), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota FC, USA), Percy Tau (Al Ahly, Egypt), Pule Mmodi (Golden Arrows)

PICTURE | BABY LORCH? NATASHA THAHANE SHARES FIRST PICTURE OF NEWBORN

CLUBS REPRESENTED:

Orlando Pirates – 6

Mamelodi Sundowns – 6

Kaizer Chiefs – 5

Cape Town City FC – 4

SuperSport United – 3

Sekhukhune United – 2

Golden Arrows – 2

Stellenbosch FC – 2

Belenenses, Portugal – 2

AmaZulu – 1

Baroka FC – 1

Pyramids, Egypt – 1

Westerlo, Belgium – 1

Minnesota FC, USA – 1

Al Ahly, Egypt – 1

*Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos. Photo: Twitter @BafanaBafana*

About Larry John Brown

Larry John is a talented writer and journalist based in New York, USA. He is a valued contributor to TDPel Media, where he creates engaging and informative content for readers. Larry has a keen interest in current events, business, and technology, and he enjoys exploring these topics in-depth to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of the issues. His writing style is characterized by its clarity, precision, and attention to detail, which make his articles a pleasure to read. Larry’s passion for storytelling has earned him a reputation as a skilled writer and a respected authority in his field.